GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE FLORA OF JAPAiV. Q7 



Formosa is richer than, that of the whole coast of China. 

 b. The vegetation of the plain regions. 



The vegetation in these regions is very variable. The lands in 

 the plain are largely under cultivation. Tliere are also many woods 

 of Acacia confusa trees. The tree thrives very well in this island, 

 especially in the northern part, where entire woods of this species 

 occur, extending for miles. Species of Ficus, such as F. Beecheyana, 

 F. formosana, F. nervosa and F. Wightiana are very abundant in 

 woody parts. 



Of deciduous trees, Melia Azedarach is the commonest found in 

 the lowlands. Lauraceous plants such as Ginnaiaoinum pechmculatmn, 

 Macldbts formosana, 31. Thunhergii, Actinodaphie pedicellata and 

 Litsea lancifolia, are very common in the lowland woods. Finns 

 Massoniana is abundant in the woods by the sea. This pine is the 

 only species to be found in the lowlands. In marshy places, are many 

 Eriocaitlon, Pycreus, Juncellus, Cyperus, Mariscus, Eleoclwris and 

 many other cyperaceous and gramineous plants, with Nojas, Potamo- 

 geton and Trapa natans. In a lake near the mountain districts, 

 BrcLsenia purpurea has quite recently been found. Bomboo-groves are 

 very numerous, especially in the middle part of the island, where 

 they extend for miles. The kinds of bamboo generally to be met 

 with in the lowlands are as follows :— 



Fhyllostachys 31aldnoi, Bambusa angulata, B. hreviftora, B. Fauriei, 

 B. Oldhami ; the commonest species is Bambusa stenostachys. Den- 

 drocalamus is also very numerous. 



The vegetation shows still greater variety when we come nearer 

 to the mountain districts. There is probably some mixture of the 

 mountain vegetation with that of the lowlands. Luxuriant growths 

 of ferns occur, such as Asplenium Nidus, Nephrohpis acuta, Diplaziiom 

 esculentum and many others, together with climbing plants such as 

 Efjipremnum mirahih, Fotlios Seemanni and many gramineous plants. 

 Climbing j»lants are here especially abundant. There are seen BanJiinia, 

 Entada scandens, Anodendron, Ecdysanthera and Calamus. 



c. Vegetation of the mountain regions. 



The vegetation of these regions is extremely variable. In this 

 island, as is generally the case with other countries, the mountain 

 vegetation presents four distinct features according to altitude. In the 



