Ld 
SOUTHERN ASIA AND AFRICA. 587 
In the raceme each pedicel generally proceeds from the axilla of 
à bract, and bears, close to the calyx, two opposite bracteolæ. 
Both bract and bracteolæ are sometimes very different from 
the stem-leaves, either resembling single leaves, or evidently 
formed by the combination of three, or even consisting of three 
distinct leaves or folioles. These differences are usually constant 
in each species, but in some, as in A. migra, the bracts are re- 
markably variable. ‘ 
. From these observations it will be perceived that I do not pro- 
pose the adoption of the nine genera into which Presl, in his 
Botanische Bemerkungen, has distributed such Aspalathi as he was 
acquainted with. At first sight he appeared to me to have made 
use of some of the very numerous characters afforded by the 
genus, to form groups, not unnatural, which I hoped to have 
availed myself of, at least as sections. But upon a detailed exam- 
ination of species, I found that they so frequently had not the 
characters assigned to them, and that most of these characters, 
although constant in species, were so uncertain in natural groups, 
that I not only could not adopt Presl’s genera, but was obliged 
to give up all idea of establishing positive sections. The species 
will, therefore, be found here distributed into groups as natural as 
I could make them, established upon characters not always, 
perhaps, as definite as could be wished, but which it is hoped 
a little familiarity with the genus will enable the botanist to 
appreciate, and at any rate will be less liable to lead him astray 
. than positive characters which do not exist. 
As, however, the author of the Botanische Bone B 
understood to have devoted much attention to the Leguminose, 
and as he has relied much upon characters for the importance of 
Which he quotes amongst others my own authority, it may be 
necessary to refer more in detail to some of them, as well as to 
the several genera he founds upon them. 
A character upon which he lays much stress is the nervation of 
the calyx, which, as he observes, has been used for generic dis- 
tinction in Crucifere, Labiate, Piperacee, &c., and he adds “ quod 
in his ordinibus ad distinguenda genera valet, etiam in Legumi- 
VOL. VII. 4A 
