121. 



82 



DESCRIPTION. 



' CCCLXI. E. nutans F.v.M. 



In Fragm, III, 152 (April, 1863). 

 A translation of the original description will be found at Part XXXV, pp. 120, 



I agree with Mueller that its rich purple filaments would render it a pleasing 

 object in gardens. 



Illustrations. See Plate 146, figs, la to g. It does not appear necessary to 

 further figure it. 



RANGE. 



Confined to Western Australia, so far as we know at present. Mueller states that 

 the type comes near the eastern shores of Bremer Inlet (Maxwell). Bentham, quoting 

 him, " In the interior from Bremer's Inlet, forming dense thickets, Maxwell." This 

 is usually now known as Bremer Bay. I collected it at Kundip, 20 miles north of 

 Hopetoun, near Ravensthorpe. Kundip is east of Bremer Bay, and it may be said that 

 the present known range of the species is confined to the south coastal counties of Kent 

 and Oldfield. I am confident that search will extend its range. 



AFFINITIES. 



1. With E. platypus Hooker. 



E. nutans is nearest to E. platypus. Mueller {Fragm. Ill, 152) in contrasting 

 them says " E. platypus is similar to our species in leaves, the breadth of the peduncles, 

 and the opercula ; differing entirely, however, in the not very deeply ribbed calyx and 

 the fruits." 



Bentham (B. El. Ill, 235) says "Flowers and fruits larger, the ribs more 

 prominent, one or two sometimes expanded into thick wings." 



I think that the differences are more fundamental. There is a marked difference 

 in the seedlings. Those of E. nutans are narrow and glabrous, those of E. platypus 

 are broad and more or less stellate, like those of E. Lehmanni. 



Contrast the figures of those of E. platypus (Plate 145, figs. 4 to 8), with those 

 of E. nutans (Plate 146, fig. 1). The leaves of E. platypus are broadly ovate to 

 orbicular, those of E. nutans lanceolate, with relatively longer petioles. In E. nutans 

 we have the peduncles shorter, more nodding, the opercula much shorter, almost 

 ovate, about as long as the calyx-tube, the. filaments deep crimson or purple, not 

 cream-coloured. 



