BY THE REV. J. E. TBNISON-WOODS. 647 



The general character of the Hong Kong flora is that of 

 tropical Asia, but many of the species attain their northern limit 

 in the island. The flora of the damp wooded ravines contains 

 some species of north-east India, such as Kahsia, Assam, and 

 Sikkim, Others have a much more tropical character, extending 

 with little variation over the Indian Archipelago, the Malay 

 Peninsula, and even to Ceylon and tropical Africa. North- 

 wards of Hong Kong the tropical character of the vegetation 

 changes rapidly. This is seen in a remarkable manner in the 

 relations of the flora to that of Japan. A number of Japanese 

 species range across to the Himalayas. But they come no 

 further south than Amoy. This port is only two degrees north 

 of Hong Kong, yet there the tropical character of the flora has 

 entirely disappeared. There are, however, some characteristic 

 Japanese plants to be found in Hong Kong, such as Kadsura 

 (Magnoliacese), Stauntonia, Actinidia, Camellia, Eriobotrya, 

 Distylium, Benthamia (laot extending further south or west), 

 Farfugiuin (cultivated in Loo Choo and Japan), and Houttziynia. 



About 159 species are supposed to be endemic, but one reason 

 for this is the wholesale destruction of every kind of plant which, 

 goes on upon the mainland. The people being destitute of fuel 

 burn everything, even to the roots of the grasses. This gives a 

 tanned and barren appearance to the land in most places, which 

 is very desolate, and, united to the dilapidated and sordid aspect 

 of all Chinese houses, makes the scenery in South China dreary in 

 the extreme. 



The orders most numerous in Hong Kong are as follows : — • 

 Graminese, 86 species ; Filices, 75 ; Leguminosse, 72 ; Compositse, 

 67 ; Cyperaceae, 62 ; Euphorbiacete, 52 ; Rubiacese, 42 ; Orchideee, 

 36 ; TJrticacese, 27 ; Scrophularinea?, 21 ; Acanthacese, 18 ; Ver- 

 benacese, 17; Labiatse, 16 j Myrsinacese, 15; Laurinese, 14; 

 Apocynacese, 13 ; Convolvulacese, 13 ; Ternstroemiaceye, 12 ; 

 Malvaceae, 12; Rosacese, 11; Asclepiadeaj, 11; Solanaceae, 10; 

 Polygonacese, 10 ; Amentacese, 10. 



The above will give a good idea of the general character of the 

 flora. 



