478 NOTE OX SPECIMEN'S OF HIBISCUS 



the appearance of three stamens placed in front of each of the 

 five petals being probably due to the branching of five antipeta- 



lous stamens. 



Further examination, however, especially of fresh flowers, in the 

 earliest stages of development is required before the explanation 

 of the peculiarities in the structure of this, as of many other Ola- 

 caceous genera, can be satisfactorily determined. 



The union of the calyx to the ovary seems a point of relatively 

 little importance in this order. Sometimes it is partial ; and the 

 ovary is then, as it is called, "half superior.' ' At other times it is 

 complete ; or in other instances it may not occur at all, when the 

 ovary becomes wholly superior or free. In Erythropalum the calyx, 

 which at one period is attached to the ovary, becomes subsequently 

 detached from it ; but these are matters beyond the limits of the 

 present communication. 



Note on Specimens of Hibiscus allied to IL rosarStnensis, L., col- 

 lected in E. Tropical Africa. By Dr. Kirk, F.L.S., H.B.M. 

 Consul at Zanzibar. AVith Eemarks by Professor Oliveb, 

 F.B.S., F.L.S. 



[Read June 3, 1875.] 



The first specimen of this singular Hibiscus was found at Kilwa ; 

 it was then leafless and growing on the dry rocky slope of a low 

 hill-range just behind the town. The second was at the bottom 

 of a damp mountain-glen in the Wanika hills behind Mombasa, 

 where it grew in perpetual shade among Bignonias, Balsams, and 

 Ferns. Nothing could have been more dissimilar than the si- 

 tuation of the two specimens, which were moreover separated by 

 about $W miles of latitude. The same plant, but of which variety 

 I am unable to state, exists, however, at intermediate points ; and 

 I have little doubt that the difference of condition indicated by the 

 two localities from which we have the only?two specimens is quite 

 sufficient to account for the variation observable in the specimens 

 now made over to Kew. 



I think it still an open question whether these can be considered 

 the true wild form, and, again, if H. rosa-sinensis be an indepen- 

 dent species. The differences seem very remarkable ; at the same 

 time we must keep in mind that Africa is now coming to be 



