30. B. ornata, F. Muell. Meissn. in Linnæa xxvi. 352, and in DC. Prod. xiv. 460. A shrub of 5 or 6 ft., the branches densely hirsute; Leaves oblong-cuneate, mostly truncate, regularly serrate, tapering into a short petiole, 2 to 4 in. long, ½ to ¾ in. broad, flat, the transverse veins prominent underneath. Spikes globular or oblong-ovoid, 2 to 4 in. long. Bracts obtuse, villous. Perianth slender, villous with spreading hairs, 1 to 1¼ in. long, the limb narrow, 3 lines long. Style curved upwards from the base, then becoming straight, stigmatic end narrow, furrowed. Fruiting cone ovoid; capsules prominent, very thick, tomentose-villous, fully ¾ in. broad.—F. Muell. Fragm. vii. 56.
Victoria. N.W. districts, L. Morton; Wimmera, Dallachy.
S. Australia. Encounter Bay, Whittaker; Onkaparinga river and towards Guichin Bay, F. Mueller.
31. B. coccinea, R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. x. 207, Prod. 394. An erect shrub attaining 12 to 15 ft., the branches densely tomentose, with a few long spreading hairs often intermixed. Leaves sessile or very shortly petiolate, from broadly oblong or obovate to almost orbicular or broader than long, truncate or retuse, often cordate at the base, bordered by small irregular prickly teeth, 1½ to 2½ in. long, flat, rigid, prominently penniveined and reticulate underneath. Spikes globular, about 2 in. diameter, the flowers regularly imbricate in vertical (not spiral) rows, the tubes of those of each pair opening inwards for the emission of the style of which the end is retained in the reflexed limb, the spike thus long remaining elegantly striped by double rows of arched richly coloured red styles alternating with double rows of villous perianths. Each perianth about 1 in. long with a limb of about 2 lines. When at length liberated the style straightens; bearing a stigmatic end of about ¾ line, furrowed, with a prominent rim round its base. Fruiting cone after the fall of the perianths ovoid, 1 to 1½ in. diameter, tomentose-villous; capsules very small thin and scarcely protruding, 4 or rarely 5 lines broad.—Meissn. in Pl. Preiss. i. 585, and in DC. Prod. xiv. 459; Bauer, Illustr. t. 3.
W. Australia. King George's Sound and adjoining districts, R. Brown, Drummond, 3rd coll. n. 284, Preisse, n. 481, and many others.
32. B. sceptrum, Meissn. in Hook. Kew Journ. vii. 120, and in DC. Prod. xiv. 459. A tall shrub or small tree of 10 to 15 ft., with thick closely tomentose branches. Leaves petiolate, oblong truncate, shortly sinuate-toothed, 1½ to 2½ in. long, flat, rigid, transversely veined and reticulate underneath. Spike oblong-cylindrical, thick and dense, 6 to 8 in. long, the curved styles protruding before the perianth-limb opens, alternating in single rows with the perianths. Perianth silky-villous, the tube ½ in., the obtuse limb 4 or 5 lines long. Style after it is set free from the perianth straight or flexuose, much longer than the perianth, with a thick furrowed stigmatic end of 1½ to 2 lines. Capsules prominent, very thick, variegated and hirsute, often 1 in. broad.
W. Australia. Hutt river, Drummond, 6th coll. n. 206; Murchison river, Oldfield.
