Rhodesian species of Fuirena , Hesperantha , and Jushcia. 199 
ing in Eau de Javelle. In a longitudinal section through a corm (Fig. 7) 
it will be seen that the folding of the scale-tissue which results in the longi- 
tudinal segments of the mature tunic is caused, like the basal scale, by the 
shape of the corm itself, which is furrowed ; it is these depressions which 
evidently induce the proliferation of tissue over their areas. The same 
proliferation occurs round the flattened base of the corm (Text-fig. 5, h f.) 
Text-fig. 6 shows the scale of a very young cormlet, still attached to the 
parent corm. In this stage the scale is entire, light yellow in colour, and mem- 
branous in consistency. The peltate base is indicated, following the shape of 
the cormlet, and the ridges already present in the latter have begun to form. 
In comparing the tunics of II. matopensis with other species in the 
genus, a series is shown in the degrees of laciniation and the splitting of the 
margins, also in the longitudinal folding and the formation of the basal scale. 
Fig. 5. 
Hesperantha matopensis. 
In H. pilosa Ker. Gawk, Baurii Baker, Candida Baker, lactea Baker, 
and falcata there is no apparent peltate base to the tunics, the corm itself 
not being flattened, the tunics accordingly separate off at the actual base of 
the latter and the old persisting tunics consequently fit one above the other, 
each succeeding one being a little longer than the one which preceded it. 
The tunics are also smooth with no foldings, following the round shape 
of the corm. In H. radiata Ker. Gawl. we see a slight beginning of the 
foldings and the peltate basal flattening, and this species amongst the British 
Museum specimens most approaches II. matopensis in tunic form. 
Owing to the separation of the base of the scale from the upper portion 
in these species, the tunics remain apparently one inside the other, the 
difference in length not being so marked, as only the upper portion persists 
as a ring. 
In Lapeyrotisia Sander sonii Baker, abyssinica Baker, erythrantha 
Klotsch, and coerulea Schinz, the scale-leaf is the same as in H. matopensis. 
In Geissorhiza the base of the scale-leaves is not peltate, but breaks off 
from the base as in some species of Hesperantha , and in one species as 
many as ten superposed tunics, graduated in size, were counted. 
