MR. D. OLIVER ON SYCOPSIS, A NEW GENUS OF HAMAMELIDE.E. 87 
6 lu,u "^ 
In Japan, China, and the Chinese Islands, there are 9 species belonging to 7 genera 
Idquidambar, Distylium, Corylopsis, Mama m el is, Eustigma, Tetrathyria, Ilhodole'w. 
(1*3 : 1). Himalaya, Khasia, and the eastern peninsula, 8 species of 7 genora — Hquidam- 
bar, Distylium, Corylopsis, Hamamelis, Parrottia, Bncklandia, Sycopsis (1*1 : 1). ( I in- 
clude here an undescribed BucJclandia (?), of which I find specimens destitute of flower or 
fruit, from Malacca, in Griffith's herbarium ; Griffith, from his MS. attached to those, con- 
sidered them as belonging probably to this genus ; the woody tissue presents the charac- 
teristic disks of the order. An imperfect fruiting specimen of probably a new DistyHnah 
is in the same collection, but without a locality \ this I pass by.] In western Asia, Persia 
1 species (Barrottia persica), and Asia Minor 1 (Idquidambar orient<de), both 
socially, the latter over a very limited area. In the Indian Archipelago, according t<> 
Prof. Miquel's ' Flora Indiae Batavse* ' are 2 species of 1 genus (Li qui dauber) ; in Mada- 
gascar 1 genus (Bicoryphe), containing, according to Tulasnef, from 5 to 6 species; 
South Africa 1 genus (Triclwcladus) , of, say, 2 species; North America (U.S.) 3 species, 
referred to 3 genera (Idquidambar, Fothergilla, Hamamelis). 
Prom the preponderating number of genera occurring in the belt extending from Japan 
through China to the Himalaya, this may be regarded as the centre of the order,— a 
circumstance presenting a possible significance when we note that it is in the same area 
there remains what, with some considerable show of reason, may be accepted as perhaps 
the oldest type of Gymnospermous structure extant in the isolated genus Salisb 
This significance is enhanced by the fact that the Hamamelidece, with at least the Conife- 
rous Gymnosperms, are alike entirely absent from the Western Indian peninsula, although, 
from the presence of species in the Khasia Hills, the Malay peninsula, and Madagascar, 
there is no reason to suppose climatic conditions at present obtaining necessarily prevent 
their extension thither. Viewed in connexion with the important hypotheses advanced by 
Messrs. Darwin and "Wallace, and, in reference to plant-distribution, by Dr. Hooker, 
recollecting the peculiar structure of the prosenchyma of the wood, which closely resembles 
that of the Coniferce in some respects, and also the remarkable relative proportion of 
species to genera, the circumstances above noted appear of interest, and with other parallel 
+ 
+ 
which may no doubt be correlated §, are calculated to assist us towards 
of some of the most important problems engaging the attention of botanists. It may be 
noted that the Ilamamelide <b are absent from Australia, the Polynesian Islands, and Sout h 
America ; nor do they occur in North America, except on the eastern side of the Missis- 
sippi, the botany of which part, as has been observed by Dr. Asa Gray, presents a notable 
relationship with that of Japan. 
Mr. Griffith first called attention to the peculiar histological character of the wood of 
Bucklandia populifolia, which attracted his attention while on a stay in the Khasia Hills 
* Vol. i. pp. 836, 1097. + L C ' P' 142 ' T ^ -rr , ,« ,.■ 
X Consult an important paper on Trigonocarpon, &c. in Phil. Trans. 1855, by Dr. J. D. Hooker and Mr. Bmney. 
§ For example, that of the anomalous group of Calycanthece, like Hamamelis, Japanese and North American and 
exhibiting, as noted by Prof. Lindley (Veg. Kingd. p. 54 1), discoid markings on its tissue. These markmgs I have 
seen only in Calucanthus occideatalil and Chimonanthus fragrant j I have not minutely examined then character. 
