314 Jotirrial of Travel and Natural History 



tree of 30 to 40 feet in height. The most important and conspi- 

 cuous Euphorbiaceae are the species of FAiphorbia itself, which, in 

 some sterile districts, form the principal feature of the landscape. 

 These are mostly fleshy-stemmed, leafless, or with very small 

 leaves, spiny species, much resembling Cacti \ and some of them 

 attain the dimensions of large trees. When cut or bruised, these 

 Euphorbias exude an enormous quantity of an exceedingly acrid 

 juice. E. Abyssinica, the " Kolqual," is employed for purposes of 

 construction, and rags dipped in its juice are rolled up for torches. 

 I must here quote a few lines from Bruce : — 



" In that memorable day, when leaving the Larabar, or low flat parched 

 country which forms the sea coast of Abyssinia, and turning westward, we came 

 to tlie foot of that stupendous mountain, Taranta, which we were to pass in 

 order to enter into the high land, we saw the wlrole side of that prodigious 

 mountain covered from top to bottom with this beautiful tree. The frait was 

 ripe, and being carried on the top of the branches, the trees that stood thick 

 together appeared to be clothed with a cloth or veil of the most vivid crimson 

 colour." 



Although his description and plates were against him, Bruce 

 contended that this tree could not be a species of Euphorbia. 



E. Petitiana, and E. Schimperiana, are sometimes employed 

 medicinally, mixed with " Cussoo" (Brayera), to augment their 

 activity. Urtica sinensis, a stinging-nettle, is cooked and eaten as 

 a vegetable in Abyssinia, as our common one sometimes is in this 

 country. 



Trees of the Moracece, or fig family, are abundant ; sixteen 

 species of Ficus alone have been reported. F. Sycomorus 

 is a native of the low country between the Red Sea and the 

 mountains of Abyssinia, where, Bruce tells us, he saw a number of 

 very fine old trees. The fruit of this, as also of F. Vallis and F. 

 pseudo-carica, is eaten. According to Messrs Fecet and Galinier, 

 the inner bark of F. panifica is eaten by the natives, and tastes 

 somewhat like bread. 



Proteaceoe, a South African and Australian family, is represented 

 by one species of Protea and one of Leucospermum. Amongst the 

 few Polygonacere, is a Dock, Rumex Abyssinicus, or Mok-moks, 

 the root of which is macerated and mixed with butter to i)revent 

 the latter from becoming rancid. It is largely employed, and im- 

 parts, it is said, no bad flavour to the butter. The singular genus 

 of Bignoniaccai Kigelia is spread over a great part of tropical Africa, 

 and one species, called by the natives Meder-Deur, is met with in 

 Abyssinia. It forms a large tree, and is a very conspicuous object 



