Abstract: The seed coat of  41  species and one variety，  representing six subfamilies in the family Hamamelidaceae，  was examined using light microscope  (LM) and scanning electron microscope  (SEM)．  The results indicate that there are some differences between the subfamilies in characters such  as seed  shape，  color，  size and  hilum，  but the  subfamily Disanthoideae and most genera in the subfamily Hamamelidoideae have similar seed motphology．The above-mentioned characters are，therefore,of certain value for classification between subfamilies．  The seed coat morphology under SEM could be mainly divided into five types： (1)Smooth or only striate at the margin of seeds， e．g．， Disanthoideae and most genera in Hamamelidoideae (in Ostrearia，Parrotia and Matudaea，seed coat was almost smooth，but with  irregular  tuber-projection)； (2)  Striate，with  striae  undulate-thickened  or  raised， e．g.， Exbucklandioideae；(3) Tuberculate or  striate-tuberculate， e．g.， Rhodo1eioideae；(4)Striate-reticular，e．g．，Mytilarioideae； (5)Reticular，e．g．，Liquidambaroideae，The seed coat sculpture could be served as an important criterion of distinguishing subfamilies．The testa structure of this family was also minutely studied in the present paper．The study shows that seed coat is composed of identical testa  (it consisting of exotesta