24.— MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OBSERVA- 

 TIONS OX THE GEXUS AXACAMPSEKOS L 



{RriJXiUA, Ehkh.). 



Bv Dk. S. Sc[4uxlaxi), Hox. M.A., Oxox. 



The genus AiiacaDipStros is entirely restricled Ui South Africa. 

 It is sharpl) divided int(j two sections: (i) Avon/a, E. Mey., and (2) 

 Tclephiasirum. Dill., which are separated from one another chiefly 

 li\ their inflorescenses. leaves, and sti^jules, which make y\\^\\\ 

 very different in apjjearance. As we shall see later on, there is im 

 (Ufference in the seeds, though this is maintained by Sonder in the 

 Flora Capensis, and 1)\ Pax in Engler and Prantl's Xatiirliche 

 Pf^anzenfamilien (III., ili. p. 57). The section Avoiiia consists ot 

 five species, two of which {A. Alstonii. Schdnl.. and A. 7-cciirvata, 

 Schonl.) ha\e oiiK recenth been described 1)\ me. and one of which 

 i^A. quinaria, E. Me\.) is only known from Drege s collection. This 

 section seems to have its headquarters in Xamaqualand. and extends 

 through the Karroo. In the most eastern parts of the Karroo 

 A. iistiilaia. E. Me\. seems lo l»e not uncommon, it has e\en been 

 found on the Stormberg b) Mr. T. R. Sim, where he has also dis- 

 covered other plants hitherto l)elieve<l to bt restr'cted to carroid 

 districts (e.g.. Crasstila pyramidal is). The section l\'Ic pinastnim has 

 a similar distrit)ution. Six s[)ecies belonging tf) this section are 

 recognised in the Flora Capensis. Two of these are. howe\er. onK 

 known from short descriptions, and A. arachnoidcs. .Sims. has. b\ 

 various authors, been split up into se\eral other species. 



.4. Tcic phunirum. A. aracluioidcs. A. filameniosa are frequenll\ 

 grown in European Botanic Gardens. In addition to these I have 

 tor \ears grown four species belonging to the section Avonia. Their 

 cultivation does not offer an\ difficulties, though through bad luck, or 

 perhaps I (aight to say bad management. I have recenth lost two of 

 them. I may here mention that with suitable management scarceK an\ 

 of our South African Succulents offer anv cultural difificulties. .A.11 thev 

 require, when planted in tins or pots, is a rich sand\ soil with good 

 drainage, protection from continued soaking rains and protec'L'on 

 from the watering can indiscrimiiiateh handled b\ thoughtkss 

 pcr^'-ons. When planted out (at all events in Grahamstown) the\ do 

 very well in sunny, fairlx well drained situations. The\ have onK 

 to be kept free from weeds and are 7iever watered. 



My investigations of the genus Anacampscros. though carried 

 on at intervals for several years, are b\ no means complete, but thev 

 have already yielded several interesting results which have induced 

 me to give a short resume of them. 



