236 DR. M. T. MASTERS ON SOUTH-AFRICAN RESTIACE^. 



pointed spikelets and bracts, the other with more loosely grouped, 

 blunter spikelets, and with thinner nearly obtuse bracts ; but on 

 closer examination it will be found that the two forms run one into 

 the other, and that in some instances, on the same specimen, ob- 

 tuse scarcely mucronate bracts may be found with others that 

 are strongly acuminate. The species is thus very variable in size, 

 luxuriance of inflorescence, and shape of the bracts. Under these 

 circumstances, I have followed Nees's example, who (Linnea, v. 

 p. 645, under Bestio elegans) says of JR, elegans^ Elcgia paniculata^ 

 B.virgatus^ R.scopa^ " Species hse supra citatse certe ejusdem speciei 

 varietates sunt," &c. 



The structure of the female flowers is not easy to make out in 

 the dried specimens, though, no doubt, an examination of the 

 living plant would at once show the true structure. From the 

 specimens examined, I believe the perianth to be tubular at the 

 base, and to be divided above into six glumes, which become ag- 



glutinated to the sides of the ovary, and which after a time become 

 separated at the base both from one another and from the stipes 

 of the fruit. Hence, in the earlier stages, there is an appearance 

 of a cup-like disk surrounding the base of the flower, but which, 

 as the fruit ripens, disappears completely. It is much to be 

 desired that some local observer would carefully examine the fresh 

 flowers from their earliest stage to their fullest development. 

 In some specimens, distributed by Drege under his n. 1606, the 

 female flowers were provided with three stamens, aud were thus 

 rendered hermaphrodite. 



It was not till after I had examined this species and its con- 

 geners that I found that Hochstetter, Flora, 1815, p. 348, had 

 expressed the same opinion as to the synonymy of this and other 

 species of this genus. 



2. C. sciRPOiDES. — Culmis erectis, fistulosis,teretibusv, subcompressis, 

 parum dichotome ramosis ; vaginis arete convolutis, vix pollicaribus, 

 mucronatis; spiculis masculis numerosis, subglobosis, in cymam pani- 

 culiformem terminalem, spathis magnis deciduis interstinctam, dispo- 

 sitis ; bracteis arete imbricatis, lanceolatis, acuminatis ; floribus ovatis : 

 spiculis femineis in aplce culmi, solitariis vel geminis, ovato-oblongis, 

 1-1 ^-pollicaribus; floribus paucis, unico lateraU maturescente ; glu- 

 mis 6, a^qualibus, ohlongls, membranaceis, fructui oblongo subcom- 

 presso, nigro, Isevi appressis. — Thamnocbortus scirpoidcs, Knnin, 

 Enum. iii. p. 438. — Mesanthus Ricinus, Nees ah Es, MS, in herb. 

 Bonder. y absque descript, 



Hab, Pr. B.Sp. Ex. sp. s, (?, EckLet ZeyhA All, 55.81; Gr.Houhoek, 

 Zeyher, n. 4337 ! ; Drege, 100 !, 2023 ! ; Burchell, 7874 ! 



