428 FETCH : 



regard to general shape and the shape of the opercular opening. 

 His figures of the operculum show that this is variable, from 

 ovoid to conical, but in all cases is provided with a distinct 

 apical pomt. 



The pyxidia of the tree at Peradeniya are broadly lemon- 

 shaped, with a strongly developed apical swelling, which is 

 bounded by a well-defined calycary zone. They measure 

 about 5*5 in. in length (5 '2-5 "6) and 4" 5 in. in diameter 

 (4 "4^4 '9). Compared with Miers' figures, they resemble the 

 P3^xidia of B. excelsa in general outline, in the well-defined 

 calycary zone, and in the j3rominent ajiical swelling. The 

 calycary zone is defined by a broad well-marked groove, about 

 1 in. from the apex and 2J in. to 2f in. in diameter. 



Wlien a year old the pyxidia are brown, pale rather than 

 dark, and retain a slight greenish tinge. The bark of the 

 pyxidium is strongly lenticellate, but otherwise smooth, and 

 it cracks and separates from the endocarp as the pyxidia dry. 

 It does not fall off, but no doubt would do so if the pyxidia 

 were roughly handled. The bark is 4-6 mm. thick, and the 

 endocarp 9-15 mm. From the characters of the bark the 

 pyxidia of the Ceylon tree must again be referred to B. excelsa, 

 but it has the nobilis character of cracking and separating 

 from the endocarp. It is to be noted, however, that Miers' 

 specimen of the fruit of B. excelsa was obtained from an 

 introduced tree in Trinidad, and was apparently immature ; 

 it may be suggested that in the case of ripe j)yxidia the bark 

 would be cracked in that species also. 



We now come to the characters which appear to be mamly 

 relied on by Young, viz., those of the operculum and the 

 opercular opening. The summit of the prominent apical 

 swelUng on the Ceylon pyxidia is depressed slightly, and the 

 opercular opening is situated at the base of the depression. 

 The opercular opening is from 7-12 mm. in diameter, with a 

 fihar]) edge, and widens inwards, but it does not widen with a 

 uniform slope, as shown in Miers' and Young's figures of 

 B. nobilis. As will be evident from the accompanying illus- 

 tration, the wall curves suddenly, immediately below the 

 opening, and then continues almost vertically. The operculum 

 is ovoid, with a sharp apical point of varying length, and the 



