292 Annals of the South African Museum. 



SESUTO : Leunyeli. Meaning unknown. This is a name in general 

 use for species of Asparagus. 



A. virgatus, Bkr. 



Natal, on the Drakensbergen, Cooper, 2248. 



DISTRIBUTION: Bedford. Stockenstrooin. Somerset East. Pondo- 

 laud. Natal. Transvaal (Barbertou). 



A. declinatus, Linn. 



Ravines and mountain slopes. 20-35 in. high, flowers yellow. 

 Summer. A. Dieterlen, 302 ! 



DISTRIBUTION : George. Knysa. Uiteuhage. Alexandria. 

 Somerset East. Pondolaud. 



SESUTO : Leunyeli. The young shoots are eaten. To protect a 

 crop from witchcraft, pegs are dipped in a decoction prepared from 

 the roots, and placed at the four corners of the field on which the 

 crop is growing. This, together with A. stellatus, enters the " Lenaka " 

 or protective horn of young girls who are undergoing a course of 

 initiation in the national customs. 



A. stellatus, Bkr. (ex descr.). 



Ravines and mountain slopes. Flowers cream. A. Dieterlen, 301 ! 

 944! ; Wittebergen, 5-6000 ft., Di-rije, 8589 ; ravine on west slopes of 

 plateau, Phillips, 758 ! 



DISTRIBUTION : Albert. 



SESUTO : Lelala-tau and Molata-tau. He who watches the lion. 

 Lehila-tau le letso. The black " Lelala-tau." Parts of the plant are 

 placed in incisions made on the bodies of young girls undergoing the 

 initiation rites, to make them strong. See latter note under A. 

 declinatus. 



A. asiaticus, Linn. 



Ravine and mountain slopes. 3-5 ft. high, flowers cream. Summer. 

 A. Dieterlen, 346 ! 



DISTRIBUTION : Colesberg. Aliwal North. Cfriqualand West. 

 Bechuanaland. Transvaal (Pretoria). Natal. Delagoa Bav. 



SESUTO : Le/iiii/i'/i. As a charm to ensure victory a Mosuto warrior 

 dips his weapons into a decoction made from this species. Used as a 

 purgative to cure a child of colic brought about by suckling its 

 mother when she is pregnant. 



A. africanus, Lam. 



Ravines and mountain slopes. Flowers whitish. Spring. A. 

 Dieterlen, 406 ! 



