THE FLOBA OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. 187 



reticulate with a linear grooved gland 5 to 10 mm. in length on base of midrib, 

 with a dense but very short grey tomentum, green and very sparingly tomentose 

 above, largest 7 by 7 cm., some broader than long, petiole 2-3 cm. 



Flowers (4) clustered in axils of small leaves at top of branch, on pedicels of 

 about 3 mm. Involucre campanulate, 8 mm. long, cleft into 5-6 lanceolate 

 obtusely acuminate segments of about 5 mm., recurved at tip, obscurely striate 

 or 3 or more-nerved. Calyx only 6 mm. long, cleft to about middle into deltoid 

 or lanceolate acuminate lobes with a prominent midrib. Petals purplish, 

 2 cm. long by 8 cm., obhquely obovate and tapering into a claw, tomentose 

 externally. Staminal column 1.5 cm. in length. Fruit subglobose, sHghtly 

 umbonate, 5 by 4 mm., closely tomentose smooth and rounded, calyx and 

 involucre closely fitting over capsules, carpels 5, not angular, seeds glabrous. 



Cullen Creek, Gilruth and Spencer, July- August, 1911. 



This species belongs to that section of Hibiscus in which the bracteoles 

 are more or less united, but is distinguished from the other Austrahan species 

 in that section by the involucre with its long lobes considerably exceeding the 

 calyx in length. Its nearest affinity is H. Sturtii, but in that variable species 

 the involucral lobes are not only shorter but also more numerous. The anthers 

 also as far as could be observed are sessile on the upper third of the column, 

 while in H. Sturtii the free portion of the filaments is much longer. 



Another character which does not appear to have been utilised in de- 

 scriptive works, the presence of a gland at the base of the midrib on the underside 

 of the leaf, furnishes what may be said to be conclusive evidence of specific 

 difference of H. Spenceri from H. Sturtii, in which the gland is entirely absent 

 in all the forms examined. In the shape and indumentum of the leaves it 

 shows a resemblance to H. tiUaceus, in which also the midrib gland is found. 



15. H. Sturtii, Hook. — ^N.W. Coast, A. Cunningham ; Victoria River, 

 F. V. Mueller ; N. of M'Doimell Rqnge, M'Douall Stuart. 



16. H. tiliaceus, Linn.—Denwm, G. F. HUl (2nd Series, 102), 3/7/1913. 

 Near Darwin, Gilruth and Spencer, July-August, 1911. 



Recorded. Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown, Henne ; Port 

 Molle, M'GiUivray. 



Cotton Tree. From the fibre a strong paper can be made. A beautifully 

 marked cabinet wood. 



17. H. Trionum, Linn. — 10 miles W. of Eva Downs, G. F. Hill (Nos. 513 

 and 514), 19/8/1911. 



Recorded. Victoria River and Sturt's Creek, F. v. Mueller. 



18. H. zoimtus, F. v. M. — Hell Gate, Roper River, Gilruth and Spencer, 

 July- August, 1911. Sandstone ranges, 16 miles S.W. of Borroloola, G F 

 Hill (No. 684), 16/11/11. Near Western Creek, G. F. Hill (779), 16/2/1912. 



Recorded. Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown ; W. Coast of the 

 Gulf, Leichhardt ; Rocky Banks of the Seven Emu, MacArthur and Nicholson 

 Rivers. F. v. Mueller. 



H. Abelmoschus, L. : H. Manihot, L. ; H. brachysiphonitcs, F. v. M. ; 

 H. Goldsworthii, F. v. 31. ; H. cuneiformis, D. C. ; recorded from North Aus- 

 tralia in Nat. Herb. Census. 



6. THESPESIA, Soland. 1807. 



(Azanza, Alef. 1861). 



1. T. populnea, Corr. — MacArthur River, G. F. Hill (No. 587), 18/9/1911. 

 Recorded. Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown, Henne. 

 Indian Tulip Tree. Said to contain, in bark and wood, tannua and a fine 

 red colouring matter. The sqedis said to yield a thick oil. 



