146 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
OTHEE SPECIES OF CALOTHAMNUS. 
C. VILLOSA R. Br. 
This species is very inferior in beauty to the last, which it resembles in all respects except in the bundles of 
stamens being disposed all round the stem, instead of being only on one side. Like the other, it is a native of the 
south-west coast of New Holland, whence it was introduced in 1803. 
GENUS VII. 
MELALEUCA Lin. THE MELALEUCA. 
Un. Syst. POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. 
Generic Character. — Limb of the calyx five-parted. Bundles of stamens elongated, opposite the petals. Capsule covered by the calyx, 
and adnate to the base of the branches, three-celled, many-seeded. Flowers sessile. ((?. Bon.) 
Description, &c. — This genus takes its appellation from the Cajuputi Tree, M. Leiicadendron, an East Indian 
tree, which is a stove plant in Great Britain ; and the botanical name of which signifies black and white, as the 
trunk of the tree is black, and the branches are white. This tree produces a strong-smelling green oil, called Cajeput, 
which is used in medicine for rheumatic patients, and others ; and which is said to be very efficacious in cases of 
cholera. All the species of Melaleuca have a little of the aromatic smell of this oil, but none of the Australian 
species possess it in sufficient quantities to be useful. About forty species of Melaleuca have been described, but 
only a few of them are in cultivation in British greenhouses. 
1. — MELALEUCA SQUAMEA Lahill. THE SCALY-BRANCIIED MELALEUCA. 
Engravings. — Bot. Reg., t. 477 ; and our^^r. 4, in PI. 29. pubescent. Stamens in bundles of five, six, or nine each ; stamin- 
Specific Character. — Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, three- iferous claw very short, 
nerved ; young leaves and branches hairy. Flowers in globular heads. 
Description, &g. — This veiy pretty little shrub is a native of Van Diemen’s Land, whence it was introduced in 
1805. It grows erect, and the branches are produced in whorls round the stem. The leaves are spreading, and 
the young ones are very hairy, sometimes almost shaggy on the lower side. The flowers are lilac, and so clustered 
together as to hide the staminiferous stalks, which in this species are exceedingly short. The specific name alludes 
to “ the peeling of the bark on the older branches of the plant, in short scale-like strips in the intervals of the 
foliage.” 
2. — MELALEUCA THYMIFOLIA B. Br. THE THYME-LEAVED MELALEUCA. 
Synonymes. — M. gnidiaefolia Vent . ; M. coronata Andr . ; Metrosi- 
deros calycina Ca/v. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag., t. 1868; Bot. Rep., t. 278. 
Specific Character. — Leaves opposite, lanceolate. Spikes few- 
flowered. Staminiferous stalk bc.aring many stamens; claws of the 
stamens branched on the inside to the middle. 
Description, &c. — This very elegant little plant bears more resemblance to a Grevillea than to a Melaleuca, 
from the curious manner in which the staminiferous stalks are curled up. The flowers are of a purplish rose- 
colour, and very delicate and pretty, though not very abundant. The leaves are small and greyish, resembling 
those of the common Thyme, and when held up to the light they will be found to contain a great many small 
transparent spots, which are glands containing an aromatic essential oil. The species is a native of Australia, 
whence it was sent to England by Sir Joseph Banks in 1792. 
