cr 
MANUKA TYPE. 47 
(3) the petals apparently wanting altogether, but probably cohering 
together to form the lid or operculum, which covers the flower in bud, 
and which falls off entire when the stamens are ready to expand; and 
(4) the hard woody capsule. In most other characters the relationship 
to Leptospermwm is manifest. 
Seedlings and young trees always have the 
leaves opposite, and oblong or cordate in shape. 
The midrib is in or near the middle of the leaf, 
and the latter has a distinct upper and under sur- 
face. As the plant gets older, however, the leaves 
become narrower, the midribs are seen to be more 
and more oblique; while the blades gradually pass 
into the vertical position. It is probable that this 
turning of their edges to the sun lessens the evapora- 
tion of water which takes place from the surface of 
the leaves, and thus enables these plants better to 
withstand the long droughts of Australia. The 
effects produced by gum-trees when growing are ales 
very easily observed. Their deep and widespread Fig. 66. Capsule of 
roots dry up the ground underneath and around Blue-gum. 
them, while at the same time their leaves do not 
cast much shade, The result is that very few plants can grow under 
them, on account of the dryness of the surface-soil which they thus 
produce. ‘ 
11. Fucusia (fuchsia excorticata). 
The structure of the leaves and flowers of this plant is 
very simple and manifest, but there are many interesting 
features about it worth noting. Observe in old specimens the 
papery deciduous bark from which it takes its specific name, 
and the simple alternate leaves with just the faintest traces 
of stipules at the base of the petiole. In many of the colder 
parts of the colony the leaves are deciduous, and this is the 
only indigenous plant which shows this character, which is so 
common a feature of the trees and shrubs of the Northern 
Hemisphere. The flowers are pendulous, and are of two 
(sometimes three) kinds (found on different plants) ; one—by 
far the commonest—large and of a dark-green or purplish 
colour; the other much smaller and of a pale-pinkish hue. 
Take the commoner form, and note that the lower part of the 
calyx-tube is adnate to the inferior ovary, but that it is pro- 
duced much beyond it, and is ultimately divided intc 4 lanceo- 
late acuminate lobes, which are valvate in bud. The portion 
of the tube immediately above the ovary is dilated into a 
globular nectary. At the bases of the calyx-lobes, and in- 
serted between them, note the 4 small purple petals. Below 
these, but also inserted on the calyx-tube, are 8 stamens, 4 
short ones alternate with, and 4 longer opposite, the lobes 
The large anther-cells contain masses of briqht-b] llen- 
grains, which are tied tog : nee aoe 
g ; are tied together by numbers of extremely deli- 
cate threads. Lastly, note the 4-celled ovary with its nume- 
rous ovules, the long slender style, and the rounded or 4-lobed 
