Heu^Utis ^' Ilcise Nach Abessinien" 



i6i 



Fig. 2 is a representation of this remarkable plant. It has long 

 been known as one of the most striking plants of the country. 

 Jussieu and most botanists have ranked it among the Lobeliace^e, 

 but we think that Robert Brown formed a truer estimate of its 

 affinities when he placed it in the neighbouring order, the Cam- 

 panulacece. If it were blue (which it is not) it might be called 

 the blue-bell of Abyssinia, rather a different looking Campanula 

 from our humble little hare-bell, it is a tree 15 feet in height, with 



Fig. 2. "Ihe Jibar-1 (Rhynchopetilum niontanum 



succulent leaves, and in some respects bearing a great similarity 

 to the Agaves, with which it has the additional point of resemblance, 

 that it lives until it flowers and then dies. The flower-spike is 

 yellowish-red in colour, and very handsome. Its other qualities, 

 however, are not so pleasant, its fresh juice has the smell of bugs. 

 It is very poisonous, so much so that even its shadow is said to be 

 fatal to those who sleep under it. A more credible report is, 

 that even its smoke occasions vomiting. 



