I50 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS, 



three to five minutes, till they radiate iu a star-like 

 manner. The narrow o^^ening to the seeds lies between 

 each of the rays. (VIII.) is a seed with a tuberculated 



Fig. 62. — Mesembrian'themim. I. Flowering shoot. II. Vertical eectiou of flower. 

 III. Stamens. IV. Diagram. 



testa, and (IX.) the same cut through to show the 

 embryo curved round the endosperm. 



The fruits of some species, as M. ed'ic'le, are edible, 

 called the Hottentot fig. The ice-plant, M. crystalli'num, 



