has resulted in numerous inquiries being addressed to the Director 
M 
of the al Garde ew. any 0 “these questions it has been 
difficult or impossible to answer satisfactorily. Considerable time 
has been expended in the examinatio Sapium 
a n t 
inhabiting Colombia, Venezuela, and Guiana as a beginning towards a 
more useful and scientific classification of the whole of the American 
species of this genus. It to be expected that we shall arrive at 
once at correct conclusions, because the synonymy is so involved that 
it is almost impossible to unravel it. e of the earlier writers on 
the genus combined two or more species under one designation, while 
some subsequent botanists endeavoured to separate them, each in his 
own way, and others went still further in combining, thus creating 
almost inextricable confusion 
The form here figured under the name of Sapium verum is from 
material supplied by Mr. R. B. White at different dates, which was 
at first referred to the supposed polymorphic species S. biglan- 
dulosum ; and the Kew Bulletin (1890, pp. 149- 158) mn eass some 
correspondence on this so-called “ Virgen Caucho” or ‘“ Colombia 
Virgen,” one of the main features of which is the uncertainty then 
elevation. If so, it is singular that botanical travellers have neglected 
to collect it. It is possible t that it may prove to be specifically the 
same as S. stylare, Muell. Arg., but it has been thought better not to 
own experience and observation in the country, that it was distinct 
from 5. biglandulosum ; but there was not sufficient material to prove 
Mr. White, as may be seen from the figures 5 to 8, described below, 
and it will probably prove to be the same species. 
On this subject some notes have appeared in the Tropen sets 
No. 11, 1899; in the Belgique Colonial:, January 21, 1900 ; n 
the Revue des Cultures Codoniaiie, 1900, pp. 16 and 86. Two diferent 
names, S. Thomsoni and S. Tolimensi, are proposed ; but as neither 
figures nor adequate descriptions are given, it is impossible to deter- 
mine whether one or more species are in question, though probably 
only one, and that the same as ours. In conclusion, it may be adde 
that S. verwm, Hemsl., S. stylare, Muell. Arg., and S. biglandulosum 
var. moritzianum, Muell. rg. . Prod. xv. 2, p. 1206), have signe 
tent styles ; and the two last, which are probably identical, have the 
blade of the leaf distinctly auricled at. the base, and clongated glands 
on the petiole. —W. Borrinc Hemstey, 
‘ig. 1, section of a fruit of the = figured ; eed of the same; 3, ditto; 
4, ia yr eer in albumen; 5, a seed from ‘the pond furnished by Mr. R. 
Thom 6. t sf, the ame pies which half of the testa has been removed ; 
cae tations in each Figures 1, 2, and 5 natural size ; the rest entarge ed. 
