^t)e i^bobobentiron ^octetp potest 
record of it since then. Henry says it is a tree of 20 feet with yellow flowers. 
Hemsley in the Kew Bulletin of 1910, p. 107, referred Henry’s specimens to 
R. Falconer:, a procedure from which Wilson dissented—and it is distinct. 
Its habitat just within the tropics (although at 9,000 feet) and separated by 
several high divides from the Himalayas, where the lowest elevation for R. 
Falconer: is given as 9,000 feet, is certainly against specific identity of the two 
plants, and the analysis of characters brings out the difference between them as 
I have explained in Notes R.B.G. Edin., Vol. IX. (1916) p. 272. Confirming 
what I said there further acquaintance with the Chinese large-leaved Rliodo- 
dendrons, whether of the Falconer! or Grande Series, shows in every case that no 
one of them is conspecific with a Himalayan plant. I.inks between the Chinese 
and Himalayan will be found doubtless when exploration reveals the treasures 
of the intervening region. R. sinofalconeri is not in cultivation, and its 
place of origin does not suggest that when it does come it will be hardy. It is 
a fine species with leaves 27 cm. long, 16 cm. broad, and larger than those of 
R. F.4LCONERI, not so wrinkled above nor excavated below, and with a paler 
cinnamon-coloured, apparently very persistent, underleaf indumentum. The 
cup-hairs have long stalks and the cup itself is shallow and broad, spreading out 
into a fringe of long not much branched hairs which interlock to form a spongy 
surface. Of the size of truss the material does not supply evidence but suffices 
to show that the 8-lobed corolla is large, the stamens have puberulous 
filaments—and the 16-17-chambered ovary has no glands on the outside, but 
possesses a dense tomentum of very closely set fasciate hairs. 
Since R. sinofalconeri was differentiated from R. Falconer: more know¬ 
ledge of the relationships of species in the Falconer! Series has been acquired, 
and I am not assured that R. sinofalconeri really finds its nearest ally in 
R. Falconer:. Its affinity is perhaps nearer to R. fictolacteum. Its non- 
glandular ovary is a prominent character of separation of it from R. Falconer:.- 
Its broader leaves and flower-colour tell it from R. fictolacteum. 
Some of these fourteen species of the Falconer! Series fall into subordinate 
groups of more nearly allied species within the phylum, others are more isolated. 
It may help to crystallise our conception of the members of the series if some 
indication be given of these more intimate relationships. I have therefore 
arranged the species in the following group-table :— 
R. ARIZELUM R. DECIPIENS 
R. EXIMIUM 
R. Falconer: 
R. fictolacteum R. coriaceum 
R. SINOFALCONERI R. HODGSONI 
R. REGALE 
R. Rex 
Ten of these species are in cultivation (including those which are only in the 
seed or seedling stage at present). Those which are not known in cultivation 
R. BASILICUM 
R. MEGAPHYLLUM 
R. G.-VLACTINUM 
R. PREPTUM 
219 
