17 
Leaves linear-lanceolate, very variable in size, but usually from 2 to 5 lines broad in the widest part 
of the leaf, and from 1 to 3J inches long'. 
Venation rather prominent, the lateral veins running obliquely to the intramarginal nerves. 
Oil-glands very numerous, easily seen if held up to the light as transparent dots, and in dried 
specimens appearing on both sides of the leaves as resinoid poroso-punctulate minute tubercles. 
Flower-spikes rather shorter than those of C. lanceolatus and brighter in colour, the rhachis is also 
more woolly-tomentose which with age falls off. Frequently the flowers are axillary.* 
Bracts ovate -lanceolate, 5-8 mm. long, very deciduous. 
Calyx-tube nearly cylindrical, covered with silky-hairs, lobes very deciduous. 
Petals usually greenish-coloured, but in some North Queensland specimens of a deep red colour. 
Stamens about f inch long, usually bright crimson colour, but in some Queensland specimens of 
an intense blood-red colour, connate and cohering at the base into a distinct ring or tube. 
Anthers reddish-brown or occasionally tinged with a yellowish-brown colour. 
Fruits somewhat cyathifonn or ovate-cylindrical in general outline when mature, quite truncate 
at the orifice, the valves or cells being quite exposed, the seeds maturing and fruits rarely remaining on 
the plant more than a year, and in this latter respect differs considerably from any other species of 
Callistemon which usually have the fruits remaining on the plants from two to four years. 
Affinities. In general habit this is very distinct from any of the other 
crimson or scarlet flowering species, and in the forest, or under cultivation, can readily 
be distinguished by its- tree-like and drooping appearance. In the herbarium- the 
specimens have hitherto mainly been confused with C. lanceolatm. 
The Endeavour River specimens, originally collected by Banks and Solander in 
1770, are recorded and figured by Britten, as already noted, as C. rigidus, and he 
expresses a doubt as to whether they can be separated from C. lanceolatus DC. 
C. rigidus R.Br., figured in Bot. Reg. v., t. 393 (1819), is the type of the genus, 
and is recoided by Bentham as having been collected by Brown on the Lane Cove 
River (Port Jackson). 
It seems incredible that such an eminent botanist as Brown would apply the 
specific name " rigidum " to such an unrigid branched tree as this is, or that he would 
have overlooked the filaments which are distinctly united at the base into a distinct 
ring, and which may be picked up by the handful under the trees when in bloom, still 
cohering. 
Besides the general habit of the species, it must not be overlooked that the basis 
of the genus Callistemon was founded by Brown on the distinctly free filaments. 
Botanical $ nine. Callistemon, from the Greek KaUistos, beautiful, and stemon 
or stamen, in allusion to the beautiful stamens of some of the species. Viminalis, 
Latin adjective, derived from the noun viminalia, signifying " all trees and shrubs 
that bring forth twigs fit to bind or wind." The idea is, having slender, tough 
branches, like those of Osiers. Perhaps the suitability of the name was more 
descriptive than Solander knew. 
* See Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., xli, 219 (1916) for a similar ooounreooe. 
