Gaultheria codonantha Airy Shaw in Hook. Ic. Plant. XXXIII. t.3207 (1933); a G. abbreviata J. J. Sm. foliis maturis duplo maioribus minus bullatis, corolla triplo maiore, ovario glabro abunde distincta.-Journ. Roy. Hort. Soc. London, LIX. 305, Proc. p. cxxxi (1934). : Syn. "Gaultheria sp., K. W. 8024," Gard. Chron. Ser. 3, XCIV. 424, 428, fig. 182, 445 (sphalm. "8240 ") (1933). This striking species was one of Captain F. Kingdon Ward's most interesting discoveries during his expedition to north- eastern Assam in 1928. It occurred in thickets on a steep slope at an altitude-comparatively low for a Gaultheria-of about 1500 metres. The flowers are the largest of all the known Old World species of the genus; but since they are borne in very short corymbose racemes, and hide beneath the relatively enormous ovate leaves, they are not particu- larly showy. Their greenish tint also contributes towards the camouflage. There is no perceptible scent. Gaultheria codonantha is evidently a relict endemic species comparable with Leycesteria crocothyrsos (Bot. Mag. t. 9422) and Berberis hypokerina, both now familiar to gardeners, thanks to the same indefatigable collector. Like them, it is unfortunately scarcely hardy out-of-doors in most parts of England, but succeeds well with the protection of an ordinary cool greenhouse. The ease with which plants such as these, so scarce in the wild state, may often be cultivated is indeed surprising. It seems to indicate a failure to keep pace with the rigours of competition, a lack of adaptability to environment, rather than any inherent constitutional weakness. Gaultheria codonantha is more closely related to G. nummu- laro des Don, among other Asiatic species in cultivation, than to such species as G. Forrestii Diels, G. fragrantissima Wall., G. Wardii Marq. & Airy Shaw, G. trichophylla Royle, etc. The well-known North American G. Shallon Pursh and its numerous New World allies are also closely related to G. codonantha, while the North Pacific sub-group comprising.

"Gaultheria sp.

(sphalm. "8240 ") (1933).