In this paper, the distribution of three species of beech forests, regarding their position on differently facing slopas and at different elevations, as well as their pollen distribution, on Fanching Shan situated in Kweichow Province in South-eastern China is discussed. It is the fact that (1) Being affected by the air currents of the Pacific Monsoon, and by its own topographic variation, the difference between the north and south slopes in its eastern and western flanks reflected on the plant communities by the humidity-warmth relationships (fig. 2, 3; tab. 2, 3, 4). (2) The patterns of the horizontal distribution of three species in China show that Fagus engleriana has a northern-most range, F. longipetiolata the southern-most range, while F. lucida is intermediate between them (fig. 5). (3) From the palynological analysis of the soil layers, the waxing and waning of the different tendencies of Fagus spp. on different slopes are rather prominent. The discussion is made mainly as follows. The relationship between the state of growth and humidity-warmth conditions is shown (fig. 6). In accordance with the conditions of the vertical, horizonal and palynological distribution of beeches, we have tried to present a figure (fig. 7) which shows the waxing and waning tendencies of three species of Fagus historically, with respect to different slopes. The southern slope of western flank (Ws) is now in a state moderate growth of Fagus longipetiolata; in the past, there had been a period which saw this beech enjoying a gradual increase, but later on it began to wane till it reaches the present state. The Wn slope had seen a gradual increase of Fagus lucida in the historical time (at the same time there was an accompanying slow increase of F. longipetiolata), till a certain period when the total number of beech pollen grains decreases gradually in the analysis; this is followed again by a slight increase, the last increase is apparently due to the fact that in spite of the decrease of F. lucida, there was a great increase in F. longipetiolata. The two effects combine to make the line of curve to lower rather than to rise. The Es slope has in its historical past a period when beeches were favoured with a steady increase, and this tendency is apparently still in progress today, although it is approaching its culmination. The En slope had seen Fagus engleriana in a slowly receding tendency, and sees it now almost in the process of being eliminated, to be replaced by F. lucida. Through the explanation given above, we have thereby an understanding about the relationship between the climatic changes in the historical time and the waxing and waning of the different beeches in both time andspace.

The Menispermaceae is a well-known alkaloid-rich family within the flowering plants. Because of the therapeutic value and pharmacological actions of the alkaloids, contents of its members it has, besides taxonomists also attracted the attention of chemists, pharmacists and other research workers. In the present work, the menispermaceous medicinal plants of this country are dealt with from their taxonomical, phytochemical and therapeutic aspects. As a result of our preliminary study, out of 18 genera with some 70 species so far found in China, 15 genera with 51 species and 2 varieties are known to possess medicinal value, of which some are famous Chinese drugs, viz. Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (粉防己), Tinospora callipes Gagnep. (金果榄), Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. et Wils. (青藤); some are important folk remedies, e.g. Archangelisia loureirii (Pierre) Diels (古山龙), Stephania cepharantha Hayata (金线吊乌龟); and some are raw materials for the preparation of medicines, e.g. Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. for tetrahydropalmatine, Stephania sinica Diels for rotundine, etc. After a careful taxonomic examination, two new species, Cocculus mokaingensis Lien, Pericampelos omeiensis Lien, are found and herewith discribed. Isoquinoline alkaloids are widely distributed in the whole family. The Trib. Aniamirteae consisting of genus Arcangelisia, the Trib. Fibraureae consisting of genera Tinomiscium and Fibraurea, as well as the Trib. Tinosporeae consisting of genera Tinospora and Parabaena are charaterized by the presence of proberberine alkaloids, e.g. berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, etc. and such alkaloid-bearing plants are commonly used as antiperiodic, antidote, antibiotic, antimalarial, etc. On the other hand, the Trib. Menispermeae elaborates mainly bisbenzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids, and these plants are usually used in the treatment of rheumatism, and often as an anodyne, diuretic etc. To facilitate identification, 10 plates are here provided.