MR. D. OLIVER ON SYCOPSIS, A NEW GENUS OF HAMAMELIDE^. 87 



In Japan, China, and the Chinese Islands, there are 9 species belonging to 7 genera 

 — Liquidambar, Distylmm, Corylopsis, Samamelis, Eusfigma, Tetratkyria, Bhodoleia. 

 (1'3 : 1). Himalaya, Khasia, and the eastern peninsixla, 8 species of 7 genei*a — Liquidam- 

 bar, Distylmm, Corylopsis, ILamamelis, Tarrottia, Bucklandia, Sycopsis (1-1 :1). [I in- 

 clude here an undescribed Bucklandia (?), of which I find specimens destitute of flower or 

 fruit, from Malacca, in Griffith's herbarimn ; Grifiith, from his MS. attached to these, 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 Bistylium 

 is in the same collection, but without a locality ; this I pass by.] In western Asia, Persia 

 1 species {Farrottia persica), and Asia Minor 1 {Liquidambar orientale), both growing 

 socially, the latter over a very limited area. In the Indian Archipelago, according to 

 Prof. Miquel's ' Flora Indife Batavas* ' are 2 species of 1 genus (Liquidambar) ; in Mada- 

 gascar 1 genus {Dicoryphe), containing, according to Tulasne t, from 5 to 6 species ; 

 South Africa 1 genus (Trichocladus), of, say, 2 species; Xortli America (U.S.) 3 species, 

 referred to 3 genera {Liquidambar, Fothergilla, Samamelis). 



From 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 Salisburia %. 

 This significance is enhanced by the fact that the Hamameliders, 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 -ndth other parallel 

 cases, which may no doubt be correlated §, are calculated to assist us towards a solution 

 of some of the most important problems engaging the attention of botanists. It may be 

 noted that the Samamelidece are absent from Australia, the Polynesian Islands, and South 

 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 caUed attention to the peculiar histological character of the wood of 

 Bucklandia populifolia, which attracted his attention wliile on a stay in the Khasia Hills 



* Vol. i. j,p. 836, 1097. t I- c. p. 142. 



J Consult an important paper on Triyonocarpon, &c. in Phil. Trans. 185.i, by Dr. J. D. Hooker and Mr. Binney. 



§ For example, that of the anomalous group of Calycanthece, like HamameUs, Japanese and North American, and 

 exhibiting, as noted by Prof. Lindley (Veg. Kingd. p. ,541), discoid markings on its tissue. These markings I have 

 seen only in Calycanihus occidentalis and Chimonanthus frayrans ; I have not minutely examined their character. 



