AVICENNIA. 343 



6-XI-1907, (A. off. var. eucalypti folia Va/.); id. no. 1887. - 

 Moszkowski no. 177, Samberi, Geelvinck-bay („a large 

 tree, with white flowers"; with the habit of A. alba Bl. 

 or A. spicata Ktze.) — Zippel no. 59a; id. no. 87^^ {A. 

 eucalyptifolia Zipp.). — Koch no. E. 36, Merauke, fr. on 

 8-X-1904 (A. o^ var. eucalyptifolia Vai). — Teysmann 

 no. 7459. 



Borneo: HalUer f, no. B. 281, P. Lemukutan. 



Caroline-Islands: Volkens no. 193, Yap., flow on 

 15-XII-1899. 



Distribution: in tidal creeks and along the sea-coast of 

 E.-Africa, Asia!, Australia, New-Zealand, Polynesia!, in 

 tropical and subtropical regions, forming an element in 

 the mangrove-formation (s. Foxworthy, Ann. J. bot. Btz., 

 suppl. 3, p. 324 and 337, with map). 



There has always been confusion in the classification 

 of the several forms of Avicennia and a large number of 

 „species" has been described. On the other hand there 

 were authors, who endeavoured to combine some or even 

 all of them, for the more materials they happened to 

 gather for their work, the more they found that the 

 species is a very polymorphous one. In relation to this 

 we may quote Koorders and Valeton (Bijdr. I.e.), who 

 also are inclined to combine several of the described 

 „species", but who hesitate to include also A. alba Bl. 

 More exact seems to us the opinion of Schimper (Ind.- 

 Mal. Str. fl. I.e.), who admits only one species, A. officinalis L. 

 for the Old World (eventually with some variaties, one of 

 which should be formed by A. alba BL), and two for the 

 New World, A. tomentosa Jacq. and A: nitida /acq . We 

 agree entirely with this view except in the matter of 

 varieties, finding no reason to separate any with sufficient 

 certainty, as it is often the matter in polymorphous species 

 (c.f. Premna integrifolia L. s.a.). In plate III we delineate 

 the several forms of leaves and inflorescences we met 



