TROCHODENDRACEAE. — EUPTELEA 315 



anthers, the size and shape of the fruit and the number of seeds in each are all 

 inconstant and cannot be relied upon. Finet & Gagnepain (1. c.) give a key to 

 the species based on the shape of the fruit. Specimens before us show all forms 

 on the same branch. The appearance of the under surface of the leaves, how- 

 ever, affords a constant character by which the species, and especially the two 

 Chinese species, may easily be recognized. Solereder (1. c.) was the first to draw 

 attention to this and an exhaustive examination of our material amply sup- 

 ports his conclusions as to the identity of Baillon's E. Davidiana with Hooker & 

 Thomson's E. pleiosperma. 



The three species of the genus may be recognized by the following charac- 

 ters : — 



E. polyandra Siebold & Zuccarini: bark brown; dentation of leaves irregular 

 and more exaggerated in this respect than in other species; under surface of leaves 

 pale green and exhibiting a tendency towards papillosity; fruit normally 1-seeded 

 although 2 seeds are occasionally to be found. Distribution: Japan. 



E. Franchetii Van Tieghem; bark dark; dentation of leaves fairly regular; 

 under surface of leaves green; non-papillose, the epidermis being perfectly smooth; 

 fruit 1-4 (usually 2-3)-seeded. Distribution: central China. 



E. pleiosperma Hooker & Thomson: bark dark; dentation of leaves fairly 

 regular; under surface of leaves glaucescent, papillose; fruits rather larger than in 

 other species, 1-4 (usually 2-3)-seeded. Distribution: Mishmi Hills, north-east of 

 Assam, western and south-western China. 



The flowers in all three species are hermaphrodite, proterandrous and ane- 

 mophilous, not polygamous as usually stated. The stamens are early deciduous, 

 falling away before the stigmas of the female flowers borne on the same fascicle or 

 on the same shoot are mature. The statement that the trees are dicEcious is 

 erroneous and has led to much confusion. 



