of the flowers point to the genus Spir@a, as that to which, in 
the absence of the fruit, it must be referred, and unfortunately 
the frosts of the early spring soon destroyed the flowers, so that 
we have no knowledge of the perfect fruit. The calyx-tube is 
remarkable in form, much contracted below, then suddenly at 
the narrow faux expanded and recurved, and the whole lined 
with a fleshy disc, at the edge of which the fifteen stamens are 
inserted in threes. The species is extremely different from any 
hitherto described. 
Duscr. Apparently a moderately-sized shrub, with twiggy 
branches, clothed with brown bark. Leaves alternate, submem- 
branaceous, lanceolate, two to three inches long, entire, acute 
and somewhat apiculated, penninerved, glabrous. Petiole half 
an inch long. Stipules, if any, soon deciduous. Racemes terminal, 
solitary, erect, bearing six to eight large, conspicuous, white 
flowers. Pedice/s half an inch to an inch long, bearing a pair 
of small, opposite, deciduous dracteoles at the base of the calyx. 
Calye turbinate: the lower part or ‘tvbe much contracted (in- 
cluding the ovaries), then at the mouth suddenly expanding and 
slightly recurved, lined throughout with a fleshy disc. Limb of 
five, broadly oval, submembranaceous sepals, beautifully ciliated 
at the margin. Stamens about fifteen, inserted by threes at the 
edge of the fleshy disc of the calyx. Petals very large, subro- 
tund, or somewhat obcordate, slightly unguiculate. Ovaries five, 
approximate, but quite free even to the base, in no way adherent 
to the calycine tube, one-celled, with two ovules. Styles five, 
quite free. Stigma dilated, reflexed, and furrowed within, the 
furrows extending some way down the inner side of the style. 
