﻿ON THE BOTANY OF JAPAN. ' 399 



soms.* I refer the plant to this genus rather than to Gaiiltheria,^ on account of 

 the calyx being wholly unchanged in fruit, beneath the naked capsule, and the placentae 

 pendulous from the summit of the cells. On the mountains in the vicinity were 

 gathered Ledum pahistre, both the ordinary form, so common in Europe, but only high 

 northern in America, and the variety clilatatum of "Wahlenberg, which very closely 

 approaches our L. lati/olium, but has oval capsules and less blunt leaves. Also, — 

 and a more interesting discovery in Japan, — Menziesia fcrruginea, and this, too, in the 

 form essentially identical Avith that of our higher Alleghanies (i)/. c/lobularis, Salisb.) 

 rather than that of the northwest coast and islands. The differences are so unimpor- 

 tant, however, and the two supposed species so connected by means of an intermediate 

 form, discovered by Drummond at an intermediate station (viz. in the northern Rocky 

 Mountains), that I had long ago confidently regarded them as one. 



The geographical range of this species, as now extended, is instructive. This, and 

 the numerous similar instances already mentioned, or to be mentioned, are particularly 

 recommended to the consideration of those (such as De Candolle the younger) who, 

 although convinced that species in general have had a single, local origin, are yet con- 

 strained to adopt the hypothesis of a double origin in the special case of certain species 

 known to occur only in two widely dissevered regions ; — e. g. Phri/ma leptostachia in 

 Nepaul, as well as in North America east of the Mississippi ; or our own Dijjhi/Ueia 

 and Caulophyllum, occurring only here and in Japan. The number of instances, 1. of 

 species strictly divided between Eastern North America and some part of Northern 

 Asia ; and 2. of those which are known to occur at one, two, or several intermediate 

 stations, — is already so increased, that they can no longer be regarded as exceptional 

 or casual, but must evidently receive a common explanation. And what that explana- 

 tion is begins to be clear. 



It was with pleasure that I observed in the present collection undoubtedly wild speci- 

 mens of the miniature Azalea which I published under the name of A. serpyllifolia, 

 with leaves, &c. no larger than those of Williams and Morrow's specimens. The 

 Japanese have such fondness for, and such skill in producing, wonderfully depauperate 



* Leucothoe chloeantha (sp. nov.) : liumilis, 1 - 2-peclalis ; ramis glabris ; foliis chartaceis subsessilibus 

 ovalibus liirtello-ciliatis subtus rcticulato-venosis, junioribus pi. m. hirtcllis ; racemis terminalibus erectis pa- 

 tentibusque fere glabris basi foliatis ; bracteis plerisque lineari-lanceolatis flores subsecundos Laud superanti- 

 bus ; pedicellis calyce aaquilongis vel paullo longioribus ; corolla globosa deiiide breviter campanulata viridula ; 

 filamentis scabris ; antheris muticis. Hakodadi. 



t Slebold and Zuccarini have a Gaultheria from Japan ; I know not whether allied to G. Shallon of West- 

 ern, or G. procumhens of Eastern, North America. 



