BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 307 
lus, &c.) to the amount of 200 rix-dollars; and if I found a ready 
money customer, I should have sufficient funds to commence 
my excursions immediately. Till, however, some of my 
growing plants are sold or exported, which I expect to be in 
the course of a month, I cannot lose sight of them. 
I may mention, that such is my desire to explore the 
botany of the colony, that I have refused two or three promis- 
ing engagements, which would not have permitted of my 
quitting my post. My health is much improved, and I anti- 
cipate no hindrance to these excursions, which must be 
longer or shorter, aecording to the pecuniary means at my 
command. 
Last week I enjoyed a delightful day on the mountain 
above Constantia and Houtberg, and it had been my inten- 
tion to devote two or three more days to Table Mountain, 
had the weather, which has been squally and uncertain, per- 
mitted. Not that anything new can be expected in that 
locality, but there are always some interesting and handsome 
plants to be found there. 
I am not surprised to hear that the Kew Gardens are not 
rich now, as formerly, in South African plants, since the pre- 
vailing fashion has been for those from Australia. When 
I was there, more than thirty years ago, there were very few 
Mesembryanthema, of which department there had been as 
many as 150 species ; the Aloes and Stapelias had also dimi- 
nished, for this tribe attracted very little attention. Subse- 
quently it increased again by contributions from Earl Tanker- 
ville, and Mr. Anderson of Chelsea. But succulent plants 
are not so easily replaced; for even in this, their native land, 
they grow sparingly, and are scattered over a great space of 
arid country, and in the dry season the smaller species become 
so shrunk and unconspicuous as hardly to be seen. The 
plan of packing them in coarse brown paper answers best; 
for, during long waggon journies, even when closed in tight 
tin boxes, I haya known them, especially the more fleshy spe- 
cimens, to melt entirely away from the heat. 
