526 MESEMBRYACEJi. [Perigynous Exogexs. 



the Hottentot's Fig of the Cape colonists ; Mesembryanthemum emarcidum, when 

 bruised and fermented, acquires a narcotic property, and is chewed Uke Tobacco by the 

 Hottentots (Burnett); others j-ield an abundance of soda. M. crystallinum in Spain, 

 and M. copticum and nodiflorum in Egypt, are collected for the purpose of furnishing 

 alkali for glassworks ; the former is called Barilla Moradera by the Spaniards, who 

 import large quantities of its ashes from the Canaries, where the seeds are eaten as a 

 common food, according to Broussonet. Mesembryanthemum nodiflormn is used in 

 the manufactm-e of Maroquin leather. M. crystallinum (the Ice-plant) is remarkable 

 for the abundance of watery pustules with which it is covered ; its juice is said to be 

 diuretic, and has been prescribed in dropsy and liver complaints. M. geniculifioinim is 

 used in Africa as a potherb, and its seeds are ground into floiu\ Lewisia rediviva is an 

 article of food among the natives of north-west America, who call it Spatulum or 

 Spaet'lum. The roots, after the bark is stripped off, seem from the relation of travellers 

 to consist of little more than starch. — Gray and Torrey, 1. 678. The natives of Austra- 

 ha eat the fruit of M. sequilaterale (Pig-faces, or Canagong). The seed-vessel of this 

 plant is about an inch and a half long, of a yellowish, reddish, or green colour, and 

 somewhat obconical. The pulp is sweetish and saline. — BacJcJioiise. 



GENERA. 



Mesembrj'anthemum, Z. IGlinus, £. I Physa, Thou&rs. \ Axonotechium, Fen-/.. 



Hpmenogi/ne, Haw. Rolo/a, Adans. lOiygia, Forsk. Lewisia, PursA. 



Mesembri/on, Adans. I Plenck ia, Rafin. \ Corbichonia, Scop. \?BeloantheTa, Hassk. 



Numbers. Gex. 5. Sp. 375. 



Cactaceee. 



Position. Mesembryace.e. — Tetragoniacese. 



Portulaccie. 



