OX LIQUIDAMBAR FORMOSANA, HAKCE. H3 
concur in placing next LiquiJambar* the oriental and occidental 
Planes, which, it may be observed, have respectively a very similar 
geographical distribution to the corresponding Sweet-gum trees are so 
much alike that M. Spach, who cannot justly be charged with any 
undue leaning to synthetic views, unhesitatingly unites them (Ann 
Sc. Nat. Ser. 2. xv. 291), remarking on the varieties he admits, and 
italicizing the words for the sake of emphasis, « Les caracteres par 
lesquels j'essaie de les distinguer ne sont que ceux qui se rencontrent 
le plus frequemment sur le mcme individu;" and he adds that be- 
tween these are numerous intermediate subvarieties which it is impos- 
sible to define. For my own part, I own I cannot resist the conclu- 
sion that in both instances the reputed species are merely derivative 
forms ; and there can be little doubt, I apprehend, that had these 
been found growing in one country, the majority, at least, of botanists 
would never have thought of distinguishing them. I may add that 
the researches of all monographers possessing comprehensive views on 
our forest trees,— as, for instance, Oaks (A. DC. Prod. xv. sect. 2), 
Poplars (Spach, Ann. Sc. Nat. Ser. 2. xv. 28), Willows (Fries, Nov. 
Pi. Succ. Mant. i. ; Andersson, Sal. Lappon.), Birches and Alders 
(Kegel, Monogr. Betulac.),-convincingly establish the fact that the 
presence, absence, or amount of pubescence on the foliage cannot be 
regarded as a specific character. 
Ziiccarini records a Liqiwlambar, merely, however, from Yon Sie- 
bold's notes, as occurring in Japan; but, though I have been privi- 
Jeged to receive from the Imperial Gardens at St. Petersburg one of 
the finest and most complete sets of the very beautiful collections 
made in that country and in Mandshuria by the accomplished author 
ie ' Flora Amurensis ' the species does not occur therein, nor was 
it detected by Mr. Charles Wright. Hence it is uncertain whether 
oiebold's plant was an AUingia or a Liquidambar. The affinity of the 
Atlantic-American and Japanese Floras would rather point" to the 
I 
Arrange 
the r I ^ han . er °g amous Plants,' has expressed a widely different opinion on 
iectp if , mtle9 of -Platanacece, but his very original views hare vet to be sub- 
the w t° ° T and de * ailed criticism. I may add, without any disrepect to 
been »* #' i * tJle Principles on which his classification reposes have scarcely 
this rT f v ln aS Clear and well " di g ested a sha P e as c° uId be •**•*• In 
I kn e ^ e y tnou gh expository of a very faulty and even crotchety arrangement, 
' vJ^T u, 1?. more admirable model than \he Introduction to Dr. Lindley's 
Vegetable Kingdom.' 
