425 



DESCRIPTION. 



CCCXLH. E. Shirleyi n.sp. 



Aeeoe. foliis glaucis, ramulis quadrangulatis, foliis juvenilibus amplexicaulibus, crassiusculis, orbicularibus 

 vel fere ovatis ; foliis maturis, crassiusculis, ovatis, amplexicaulibus ad ellipticis et petiolatis, obtusis, 

 verns secundariis ecosta media circa 60° orientibus; inflorescentia in umbella composita; alabastris in 

 brevibus pedicellis ; calvcis tubo distincte bi v. tricostato ; operculo conico calycis tubi dimidium aequante ; 

 Iruetibus sub-cylindraceis in pedicello brevi piano, ad 1-5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. lato, prominenter tricostato; 

 margine tenui, capsula valde depressa. 



A tree, size, bark and timber not known, the foliage glaucous or mealy-white, the branchlets 

 quadrangular and almost winged. 



Juvenile leaves stem-clasping, rather thick, orbicular to nearly ovate. Intramarginal vein seen 

 at a considerable distance from the edge. 



Mature leaves rather thick, ovate and stem-clasping tq elliptical and petiolate, obtuse, with a very 

 short apex. The sizes of the leaves (it is very difficult to mark the line between juvenile and mature leaves 

 in this species, with present material) vary from 9 cm. long and broad to smaller dimension?. In the 

 mature leaves the intramarginal vein becomes closer to the margin, and with the secondary veins makes 

 angles of about 60° with the midrib. 



Inflorescence. — In a compound umbel, with a very slightly compressed, very long (2 cm.) peduncle 

 supporting each umbel. Distinct, somewhat flattened pedicels, gradually tapering into the calyx-tube; 

 usually seven in the umbel. The calyx-tube with three or four distinct ribs, and commonly with a double- 

 operculum. Operculum conical, about half the length of the calyx-tube. Anthers only sesn immature,, 

 versatile, and with a very large gland at back. Apparently belongs to the Macrantherae. 



Fruits sub-cylindrical, on a short flattened pedicel, up to 1-5 cm. long, and 1-2 cm. broad, with thrce\ 

 prominent ribs extending from the rim to the peduncle, and often with two or more less prominent ones.. 

 Jitaminal rim prominent ; rim thin, capsule much depressed. 



[In judging an immature anther, it is always the case that the gland is com- 

 paratively large, and, as growth progresses, it becomes less in size, as if its partial 

 absorption were necessary for the development of the anther.] 



Type from Stannary Hills, North Queensland (Dr. T. L. Bancroft). Named 

 in honour of my old friend, John Shirley, D.Sc, Local Secretary for Queensland of the 

 Australian Association for the Advancement of Science from the first election of 

 officers in 1888, to the day of his death, 5th April, 1922, a unique happening. We 

 were brought into intimate relations in regard to the Association for many years, and 

 as a botanist, I corresponded with him for an even longer period. As I was working 

 at this plant at the very moment that news of his sudden death came through, it 

 occurred to me to offer the dedication of this interesting species to his memory. 



