Range - Setis

Enlargement concave and hooded, superposed by a strong solid apicular process which is also
slightly concave. The lower or larger cavity appears to be the impression caused by the outer
bud; the smaller upper cavity represents the impression of the top of the central bud, which is
usually longer than the lateral or outer buds. It would appear that in the early stage the bracts
enveloped the three buds, are free at the apex, and the apicular portion is a protection for the
lower part of the bract.
7A. Umbel, natural size, of E. ficifolia F.v.M., showing subtending bract.
7B. Umbel, natural size, showing bracts (a) and bracteoles (b).
7C. Showing the bracts (a) and bracteoles (b) in plan.
7D. Umbel, natural size, showing bracts (a) and bracteoles (b).
7A, 7B, and 7D show progressive stages of development of the buds. Note that the opercula in
7B and 7D show more or less clearly where a second operculum has fallen off from each bud.
All the above from E. ficifolia, cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
7E. Showing two bracts, E. calophylla, cultivated in the Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
Membranes of Bud.
8.(a) Calyx-tube.
(b) Inner operculum (No. 2).
(c) Outer operculum (No. 1).
(d) Fragments of an outer scurfy layer.
(e) External membrane of the calyx-tube.
(c) and (e) appear to correspond, so do also (a) and (b). (All of E. eximia Schauer.)
The membranes covering the calyx-tube and operculum in E. eximia appear to
consist of the outer coverings of both organs. Each membrane is of such a tough,
gelatinous-like nature that it can be separated without laceration.
If (c), the outer operculum, is of calycine origin, then what about (e), which is
obviously of similar origin? It seems to me that they both represent the calyx, and
we have a key to the position in the Hinged Operculum (see Part LVIII, p. 492),
where, in numerous species of the Corymbosae, it is shown that in what corresponds
to (c) and (e) there is a tearing, in other words, there is an indication of some
continuity between them. In the present case there is a sharp line of demarcation
between (c) and (e), but this must not be relied upon too much, as there is
occasionally a fusion (and consequently a tearing) of (c) and (e) in E. eximia also.
Scurfiness.—The minute dark patches (d) on the outer membrane or outer
operculum are due to a scurfy substance which more or less envelops the young