332 TKAN.SACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. LXIV, 



The character aud distribution of the liairs, and the shape 

 of the apex are variable. Thus the hitter may be acute, 

 acuminate, or bifid, or even trifid, from the appearance of 

 two large lateral teeth some little way down. Each segment 

 (Fig. 1, ep.) has a main rib and two smaller laterals, which 

 converge apically and form a vascular fan communicating 

 with a water-gland. 



This water-gland usually occupies a shallow dimple 

 on the upper surface of the leaf, and has several water- 

 stomata ; its position is indicated by a red coloration of 

 the segment apex. 



The Ccdyx consists of four or five sepals of a similar 

 structure to the epicalyx segments, and alternating with them. 

 The same variation in the epidermal appendages and their 

 distribution occurs, the hairs being frequently longest along 

 the line of the ribs, especially the main ribs. The 

 vascular supply (Fig. 1, scp.) is by three main ribs, the 

 two laterals anastomising with those of the adjacent 

 epicalyx segments. 



All three converge apically, and meet under a water- 

 gland having similar structure and distinguished by a 

 similar colour as in tlie epicalyx segments. This coloration, 

 indicating water-glands, is found at the apices and teeth 

 of the ordinary leaves also. The a'stivation of the sepals 

 is valvate. 



In the upper mesopliyll cells of the sepals and epicalyx 

 segments are enormous quantities of oxalate of lime in 

 rosette crystals. 



Botli epicalyx and calyx are persistent, and enclose the 

 mature fruit. 



TJie Corolla, in colour, white, yellow, or red, or some 

 combination, is of four to live petals alternate with tlie 

 seitals. The petals vary in shape, perliaps the commonest 

 is the obcordate ; eacl) has a very short claw wliich joins 

 the torus by a very constricted neck. Their upper surface 

 liears tlie usual petaline pilose papilkc, and their epidermal 

 cells ]ia\'e a wavy sinuous outline ; tiicir size in relation 

 to the sepals varies, being larger or smaller — sometimes 

 half the size, at other times almost double the size. In 

 consequence of their constricted claw they fall off very 

 readily. Their vascular sup])ly is derived from the main 



