78 
and narrowed at the base into a thick channelled petiole about 
3 of an inch long ; there is no trace of stipules. - 
The flowers grow in threes, sessile in the axil of the 
leaves, and are surrounded at their base by several round 
imbricated scales, as in Camellias ; when expanded they mea- 
sure two inches in diameter ; Mr. Whitfield states that when 
decaying they assume a bluish tint, which has probably led 
to De Beauvois' error in representing them as almost wholly 
blue in their perfect state. 
The calyz is a thick leathery cup, divided into five ovate 
segments, having a perfectly valvate »stivation. 
Within this is placed the corolla, which consists of three 
distinct rings, each of which is monopetalous. The first ring 
is apricot colour, divided into five lobes, each of which has 
seven stiff ribs, between which the texture is membranous ; 
the lobes have seven broad teeth, corresponding with the points 
of the ribs, and much curled and crumpled ; by means of the 
ribs and intervening membrane, this part of the corolla is 
strongly plaited both before and after expansion ; when fully 
blown it turns quite back over the calyx, so as to hide it com- 
pletely. The second ring is very small and thin ; it is in fact 
a narrów membrane, stationed at the foot of the first ring, 
and cut into an indefinite number of fine narrow sharp-pointed 
segments; this ring was overlooked by De Beauvois. The 
third ring is rich crimson, according to Mr. Whitfield, mem- 
branous, but erect, and assuming the form of a cup, whose 
edge is cut into many fine segments, turned downwards, so as 
not to be at all conspicuous. De Beauvois makes this a flat 
star of many points, which is altogether an error. 
The stamens are in number 20, standing erect in the form 
of another cup, of a rich apricot colour, and unequally united 
at their base; they have linear-lanceolate filaments, which 
are much thinner next the anthers, and are there turned 
inwards; the anther itself is oblong, 2-celled, and erect; it is 
difficult to conceive how De Beauvois could have made out 
of this five petal-like filaments, each of which bears two 
anthers. 
Next the stamens comes a deep fleshy cup or disk, standin 
as high as the stigma, and having ten sides, of which the 
narrowest are alternate with the lobes of the stigma, and two- 
ribbed in the inside. 
The ovary is buried beneath the mass formed by the base 
