CONSPECTUS TABULARUM. 11 
This is the ‘‘ Gift-boom’’ or Poison-tree of the colonists. According 
to Thunberg, the aborigines formerly used a decoction of the bark, re- 
duced to the consistence of jelly, for poisoning their arrows. The flowers 
are scented like jessamine. ‘‘ Strychnos Abyssinica,” Hochst. in Pl. 
Schimp., No. 254, seems to be allied to our plant. 
Fig. 1, Toxicophlea Thunbergii, natural the size. Fig. 2, a flower; 3, apex of the 
corolla, cut open; 4, apex of an unopened flower-bud ; 5, a sepal; 6, back view, and ¥; 
front view of an anther; 8, the ovary, style, and stigma ; 9, cross-section of ovary. The 
latter figures magnified. 
XVII. PTAROXYLON UTILE, E. & Z. (Sapindacee ?) 
Pt. utile: Lek. & Zey. Enum., p. 54, No. 418; Harv. Gen. 8. A. 
Pl., p. 37; Pappe, Sylva Capensis, p. 5. 
Has.—Common in the forests of the eastern districts. (Herb, T. C. D.) 
Descr.—A tree, with a trunk 20-30 ft. high, and 2-4 ft. in diameter. 
Young twigs and petioles minutely puberulous. Leaves abruptly pin- 
nate, of 4-5 pair of leaflets. Leafiets opposite or sub-opposite, oblique, 
almost dimidiate, oblong, truncate at base, obtuse or emarginate at the 
apex, penninerved, glabrous and glossy, 2-1 inch long, 4 inch or more 
wide. lowers unisexual, both inflorescences cymoso-paniculate, the 
peduncles crowded about the ends of the branches. Male ji., Petals 4, 
- oblong, flat, spreading. Stamens 4, hypogynous, exserted. A small 
abortive ovary. Female ft., Petals linear, subconcave. Stamens 4, abor- 
tive, very short. Ovary ovate, bilocular, tipped with a style of its own 
length; stigmata two, spreading. Ovu/es one in each cell, erect, on a 
basal, axile placenta. Capsule ¢ inch long, oblong, compressed, emar- 
ginate at each end, glossy brown, veiny, splitting at maturity into four 
deciduous valves. Seeds with a membranous wing; albumen none ; 
embryo with accumbent, flattish, cotyledons, and a taper radicle, - 
This is the Nieshout or Sneezewood of the colonists. The wood is 
strong, durable, handsome, and takes a fine polish, and is used in mak- 
ing furniture, and for agricultural implements. Its name Sneezewood is 
given because, when freshly worked, it emits effluvia that cause violent 
sneezing. It is also said to be an excellent firewood, even when green. 
Fig. 1, Pterorylon utile, end of a flowering-branch, the natural size. Fig. 2, a male 
flower; 3, the same, unopened, to show the valvate petals; 4, a female flower ; 5, the 
ovary, style, and stigma; 6, ovary, cut vertically ; 7, a capsule ; 8, the same as it opens; 
9, a winged seed; 10, an embryo. The latter figures magnified. 
XVIII. GEUM CAPENSE, Thunb. ( Rosacea.) 
G. Capense: collo folioso lignoso caulibusque floriferis gracilibus 
erectis nudiusculis, foliis radicalibus longe petiolatis pinnati-sectis 
hirsutis lobo ultimo maximo orbiculari crenulato pinnis parvis inciso- 
dentatis, petalis rotundato-obovatis calyce longioribus, aristis nudis 
torto-geniculatis glabrescentibus.— Thunb. Prod., p. 91; Fl. Cap., p.428; : 
DC. Prod. 2, p. 553; E. & Z, En, No. 1702. Bi 
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