664 FLORA OF AUSTRALIA, 



Previous to describing the genus, specimens of a very large 

 number of species of Verticordia were received byme from Western 

 Australia, and they all possess a common f acies and an inflorescence 

 as described by Bentham, i.e., flowers usually pedicellate in the 

 upper axils, forming often broad terminal leafy corymbs, or 

 simple leafy spikes or racemes — a statement quoted by Messrs. 

 Maiden and Betche(/oc.cti!.)in order to show that "the inflorescence 

 is extremely variable, and not a character in which the separation 

 of a new genus could be based." 



It is on the shape of the calyx and the calyx-lobes that my 

 genus is based, — characters upon which Cunningham founded the 

 cognate genus of Homoranthus, and which determination was 

 supported by Bentham in his "Genera Plantarum;" and from 

 these features alone I think I am justified just as much as 

 Cunningham in establishing a new genus on my material. 



Messrs. Maiden and Betche state that the calyx of Verticordia 

 Wilhelmii is cylindrical, and on this statement it is proposed to 

 remove this species from its previous classification and place it in 

 my genus under the name of Rylstonea Wilhelmii, F.v.M. 



Benbham's note (B.FL, iii. p. 19) in connection with this species 

 is significant; he states: — "This single species differs from all 

 others of the genus in inflorescence and the shape of the calyx, 

 and its lobes form an approach to those of Homoranthus" 



Bentham from the above remarks was evidently struck with 

 the great differences in characters of this species from all the 

 rest of the Verticordias, and he also gives it a special section in 

 his classification of the genus. 



Occurring as it does in South Australia, so far from the home 

 (Western Australia) of Verticordia, is also of importance in this 

 connection. 



Messrs. Maiden and Betche's plant also has a cylindrical calyx, 

 and, therefore, comes in my opinion in the same category as the 

 above two species under Rylstonea, but as a distinct species, as it 

 is not identical with these as regards specific rank. 



By such an arrangement all the known species of the genus 

 Rylstonea will occur in the south-east portion of the Continent, 





