638 yes son.—On the Hairs of the Tomentum and Ovary , &c. 
The above have been treated at some length, not on account of their 
value as isolated facts, but for the reason that such anatomical details, 
where constant, are often of the greatest assistance in solving taxonomic 
problems, especially in the classification of specimens as prone to natural 
hybridization (even within the limit of one species) as the genus Rhododen¬ 
dron. In the case under consideration, the constancy of the character 
derived from the structure of the hairs seems to be sufficiently established 
by the examination of a large number of specimens, collected in different 
localities. Even if the amount of the tomentum varied, the type of hair 
remained the same for each species. 
Summary. 
1. The orange-brown, velvety tomentum of the leaves of Rhododendron 
Falconeri , Hook, f., is made up of peculiar funnel-shaped hairs, with 
branches one cell in thickness from the upper portion. That of R. Hodgsoni 
is more scaly, and the individual hairs are saucer-shaped, having a stalk at 
the centre of the convex surface. The broom-shaped, shaggy hair has not 
been observed on the leaves of R. Falconeri , as described by Breitfeld ; but 
a similar type occurs on the ovary of that species. 
2. The tomentum of the ovary of R. Falconeri is extremely variable, 
thus accounting for the discrepancy existing between various descriptions. 
The ovary is covered by glandular and stellate hairs, these being found 
in very different proportions—in some cases either one or the other being 
entirely absent. 
3. The types of hair described have been found to be constant in many 
specimens examined, even if the amount of tomentum varied. It is there¬ 
fore to be concluded that they are of taxonomic assistance. 
My thanks are due to Mr. L. A. Boodle for valuable help during 
the preparation of this note, and to Dr. O. Stapf, under whose direction the 
work has been carried out. 
