468 LXXXV, ASCLEPIADEZ (BROWN). [ Brachystelma. 
exceeding them, glabrous.—B. shirense, Schlechter in Journ. of Bot. 
1895, 339. 
Mozamb. Dist. British Central Africa: Nyasaland; Shire Highlands,. 
Buchanan, 116! Mount Sochi, 4500 ft., Scott-Elliot, 8520! Mount Mlanji, Scott- 
Elliot, 8666! Chiromo, Scott-Elliot, 8697! Namasi, Cameron, 5! 
In my original description the inflorescence is inaccurately described, the umbel 
of the specimen has been split for drying so as to resemble a cyme, which I had not 
perceived when first describing it. Mr. Buchanan states that “the large fleshy root 
is said to possess remarkable healing qualities. When applied to a wound the root is 
simply chewed and then laid on. Wounds of a serious nature thus dressed are said 
to heal rapidly.” Both this plant and Margaretta Whytei were accidentally num-~- 
bered 8666 by Scott-Elliot. 
2. B. magicum, JN. £. Br. in Kew Bulletin, 1895, 263. Leaf 3$ 
in. long, 1} in. broad, oblanceolate-oblong, subobtuse, cuneate-acute at 
the base, pubescent on both sides, especially on the veins and midrib 
beneath. Pedicels about 1 in. long, slender, pubescent. Sepals } in. 
long, lanceolate-attenuate, pubescent. Corolla quite glabrous, concentri- 
cally zoned with yellowish and blackish-purple or dark purple-brown, 
about 1 in. in diam., rotate or broadly saucer-shaped ; lobes reduced to 5: 
short deltoid teeth, about 14-2 lin. long, separated by intervals of $ an 
inch. Outer corona annular or shortly cupular at the base, 10-toothed 5. 
teeth adnate at their base to the partitions connecting them with the 
inner coronal-lobes, their free part 1 lin. long, subulate, probably erect, 
glabrous; inner coronal-lobes }—? lin. long, linear, obtuse, incumbent on 
the backs of the anthers and not exceeding them, glabrous. 
Mozamb. Dist. German East Africa: “collected a long day’s journey this 
side of Ujiji,” by the Belgian Consul at Zanzibar, in January 1884! 
Of this very distinct species I have only seen a single leaf and a flower, but it is: 
probably a large stout-stemmed species allied to B. Buchanani. The zoning of the- 
corolla is very distinct and rather pretty. This species is stated to be “ regarded by 
the natives as a magic plant, causing them to lose their way when met with on & 
journey.” 
3. B. Johnstoni, V. “. Br. in Hook. Ic. Pl. xxviii. t. 2754. 
Plant 6-9 in. high. Stem branching, compressed, with rather acute 
edges, puberulous. Leaves opposite, spreading, $1} in. long, 1-2 lin. 
broad, linear, acute, narrowed at the base into a very short petiole or 
subsessile, apparently longitudinally folded or with incurved more OF 
less undulate margins, glabrous above, very thinly pubescent beneath + 
midrib very prominent beneath. Flowers 4—5 at the top of the stem, 
large, umbellate in the axils of the terminal or subterminal pair of 
leaves ; peduncle none; pedicels 1-1} lin. long, rather stout, pubescent. 
Sepals 3 lin. long, 3 lin. broad at the base, thence gradually tapering to 
a very acute apex, pubescent on the back, channelled on the face 1D 
the upper part. Corolla glabrous and purplish- or dull greenish- 
brown outside, densely covered with long white woolly hairs on the 
inner face of the lobes, puberulous in the tube, which is dark purple- 
brown, marked with afew narrow whitish or yellowish concentric zones 
at the mouth ; tube } in. long, about } in. in diam. at the mouth, cam- 
