longer than the petiole, monocephalous. Flowers few, pale 
yellow, deeper coloured in 8. Calya and corolla each of four 
acute lobes. Stamens numerous: anthers subglobose. Ovary 
ovate, hirsute. Sfyle filiform. W. J. H. 
Cur. The genus Acacia, as now restricted, still contains 
about 400 described species, which are extensively diffused 
within the tropics of the Old and New World; they are also 
found in some extra-tropical countries, especially in Australia, 
which country alone contains more than one-half of the known 
species. ‘This genus, in its normal or typical form, has conju- 
gate and variously pinnated leaves, which character is common 
to all the species in their nascent or seedling state, and is per- 
manent with about one-half in all stages of their existence; the 
other species soon lose their true leaves, their place being sup- 
plied by the petioles, which take various forms, assuming the 
appearance and performing the functions of leaves. In a few 
instances the true leaves may be seen borne on the apex of a 
broad leaf-like petiole ; but the latter is readily known by its 
not having an upper and an under surface (as in true leaves), 
the two sides being vertical and uniform. With the exception 
of two or three species, the leafless groupe are all natives of 
Australia. They are found upon all the coasts, and equally 
diffused in the interior; and by their numbers they form a 
leading feature of the vegetation, some of the species by their 
glaucous and hoary aspect giving a peculiar character to the 
landscape, generally indicative of an arid country. As the seeds 
of Acacias, like those of most of the Leguminose, are not easily 
destroyed by long voyages, many of the species have from time 
to time been introduced into this country, more especially from the 
extra-tropical parts of Australia ; as they are, also, of easy culti- 
vation and many of them of. robust growth, and very showy 
when in flower, they have become favourites in the greenhouse, 
and for planting im large conservatories. The species figured 
requires to be kept in the greenhouse: it grows freely in a 
mixture of light loam and peat, and is increased by cuttings 
treated in the usual way. J. S. 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. Pistil. 8, Small portion of a leaf :—magnijied. 
