M. truncatellum was introduced into Kew in 1795, by 
F. Masson, one of the travellers attached to the establish- 
ment, and is described as flowering in November; our plant 
was sent by Principal MacOwan, of Gill College, Somerset 
Kast, and flowered in October 187 3; it is a very rare species, 
was unknown to the Prince Salm Dyck, and is hence not 
included in his magnificent work; it has never before been 
figured. 
Descr. Plant forming tufts of pale glaucous green, 
obconic, truncate, translucent fleshy masses, one to three 
inches in diameter, with a flat or convex rather tubercled 
brown surface ; each branch on plant, consisting of four leaves 
in opposite pairs, placed cross-wise. Leaves very fleshy, broadly 
cuneate, connate to above the middle; back convex; face 
convex ; crown lunate, brown, mottled, convex; the first formed 
fleshy leaves, after developing another pair between them, 
shrink into a mere membranous pellicle that sheaths the base 
of the younger pair. Flower solitary, sessile, one and a 
half inches in diameter. Calya-tube sunk and tightly-wedged 
between the two uppermost leaves: limb 5—6-cleft, lobes 
obtuse, tinged purple. Petals in two series, very numerous, 
straw-coloured. Stamens very numerous, anthers yellow. 
Styles 5, slender, tips uncurved.—J. D. H. 
Fig. 1, Leaf; 2, flower with two sepals, and petals of same side removed :— 
both magnified. 
