130 
Philippine Journal of Science 
1919 
second species of the genus described by Loureiro, is one of doubt- 
ful status, but in all probability is not congeneric with Melo- 
dorum fruticosum Lour, It is described as a large tree growing 
in forests, the leaves tomentose beneath, the calyx and corolla 
as in Melodorum fruticosum Lour. The indicated floral char- 
acters can be considered as no more than approximate. Hooker 
f. and Thomson have suggested that this may prove to be a 
Mitrephora and, from the description and the various species 
of Mitrephora now known from Indo-China, I strongly suspect 
that Loureiro’s species is the same as Mitrephora thorelii Pierre. 
It is perfectly evident that whatever disposition be made of 
Melodorum as originally described by Loureiro, whether it be 
considered as a valid genus allied to Popotvia, or whether it be 
considered as synonymous with Popoivia, or with Polyalthia, it 
can no longer be retained in the sense in which it is currently 
used ; that is, as erroneously interpreted by Hooker f . and Thom- 
son. The genera proposed by other authors currently considered 
as synonyms of Melodorum Hook. f. & Th., are Fissistigma 
Griff. (1854), Mitrella Miq. (1865), and Pyramidanthe Miq. 
(1865). Of these Fissistigma Griff, is an exact synonym of 
Melodorum as interpreted by Hooker f. and Thomson and ante- 
dates Melodorum as used by the latter authors by one year. It 
is typified by Fissistigma scandens Griff. 11 I accordingly pro- 
pose to adopt Griffith’s generic name for the numerous species 
currently but erroneously known as Melodorum. Boerlage 12 
retains Kentia Miq. and Pyramidanthe Miq. as valid genera 
allied to Melodorum Hook. f. & Th., that is, Fissistigma Griff.; 
but in this consideration of the case I have followed current 
usage and have reduced both to Fissistigma. 
FISSISTIGMA Griffith 
( Melodorum auct. plur., non Lour.) 
FISSISTIGMA AFRICANUM (Benth.). 
Melodorum africanum Benth. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 23 (1862) 477. 
Africa. 
FISSISTIGMA BALANSAE (Aug. DC.). 
Melodorum balansae Aug. DC. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. II 4 (1904) 1070; 
Finet & Gagnep. in Lecomte Fi. Gen. Indo'-Chine 1 (1907) 104. 
Indo-China. 
11 Notul. 4 (1854) 706. 
12 Ic. Bogor. 1 (1899) 129, 130. 
