84 MR. J. G. O. TEPPER ON A MALFORMATION OF 
Remarkable Malformation of the Leaves of Beyeria opaca, F. v. 
Muell., var. linearis (Bentham, Flora Austr. vi. 65). By J. 
G. Orro TrprÉn, F.L.S. 
[Read November 2, 1882.] 
(Puate XXI.) 
Nom having met with any deseription of the remarkable shapes 
into which the narrow linear leaves of the plant are transformed, 
of which the accompanying figures will give a faithful idea, and 
at a time when few observers are in the field it is hoped that 
the following notes will be of interest. 
The typical form of Beyeria opaca, F. v. Muell. (Euphorbiacez), 
is found in a narrow belt along the eastern coast of St. Vincent's 
Gulf, as a low spreading shrub 12-3 feet high, seldom or never 
occurring away from the direct influence of the sea-breeze. Its 
leaves are narrow, and scarcely above half an inch in length. The 
flowers appear in May and June, and are very numerous. On 
the opposite shore, along the coast of Yorke's Peninsula, it 
occurs likewise in like character at the lower levels ; but further 
from the sea, near the summits of the low hills, its place is taken 
by a species or variety closely resembling in habit &c., if not 
identical with, the much taller B. viscosa, attaining a height of 
5—6 feet. 
Neither of the above two species has been noticed by the 
writer on the banks of the Onkaparinga river (which, rising east- 
ward of Adelaide in the Mount-Lofty range, falls into St. Vincent's 
Gulf about 16 miles south of Adelaide); but a near relation, 
B. opaca, F. v. Muell., var. linearis, occurs among the vegetation 
lining the watercourse. In appearance it is quite distinct from 
the first two named, and apparently does not occur intermixed 
with them. Its mature leaves are 12-2 inches long, and about 
one line wide, linear, the extremity obtuse, margin recurved, and 
the narrow spaces between the midrib and the margin white with 
minute pubescence ; the lateral ribs are undistinguishable. The 
flowers are not so fleshy as those of the former, and fewer; the 
peduncle and calyx are much longer and more attenuated ; and 
their flowering-season is in September and October. Moreover 
the habit is very different, the stem and branches being straight, 
slender, erect, and attaining a height of 3—4 feet and more. For 
these reasons the plant may probably be held to have a claim to 
specific rank. 
