IV. General Aspects of the Flora of Japan, 



including Southern Saghalien, the Kuriles, Korea, 



Formosa, the Loo-choos, the Bonins, and 



the Micronesias under the Japanese 



Mandatory Rule. 



By 



Bimzo Hayata, D. Sc, 



Professor of Botany, Tokyo Imperial University. 



As may be seen from the accompanymg map, the Empire of 

 Japan covers a tnily vast space, extending from Formosa and, to add 

 the Micronesias under our mandatory rule, the Carolines on the south, 

 to the Kuriles and the middle of Saghalien on the north, i. e., 

 approximately from 120° to 175°E.Long. and from 51°N.Lat. to the 

 Equator. To gain a general idea of the flora and vegetation of this 

 vast area, we may imagine ourselves tiying in an aeroplane from the 

 northeastern extremity to the southwestern, and then to the southeast 

 as far as the Equator. 



Starting from southern Saghalien, we look down and see on the 

 island a northern flora and vegetation : immense forests of conifers, 

 and boundless plains of tundra-like formation. Then, we fly a little 

 southwards to Hokkaido and the Kuriles, which stretch out like so 

 many stepping stones as far as Kamchatka. There we find broad 

 forest stretches of coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved trees, and 

 park-like plains with luxuriant growths of herbs. Next, we come 

 down southwest wards to a high aerial level commanding a bird's eye 

 view of the Main Island of Japan. Here, as we proceed to the south, 

 the flora becomes more and more characteristic of warmer legions. 

 Southwards from the middle of the island, evergreen broad-leaved 

 forests are to be found here and there, and bamboo formations become 

 frequent. Then follow the islands of Shikoku and Kiushu. As we 

 come southwards, the flora becomes more and more of a southern 

 character. Towards the extremity of Kifishu, it is even of a subtropical 



