158 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Coni'um. — The hemlock, a common plant in England, 

 of which there is one species in South Africa {cluero- 

 pht/lloi'des), growing in the Eastern district, is very 

 poisonous (Fig. 63,V.). The Greek philosopher, Socrates, 

 was compelled to drink the juice of the hemlock. 



Her'mas. — This has five South African species, of 

 which H. gigantea has woolly leaves, and, known as 

 " Tondel blaren," is used for tinder. 



General Descrvption of the Umhcllifer Family. 



Hrrhs. 



Leaves — With sheathing petioles, simple or com- 

 pound leaf-blades. 



Infloreseenee — Usually simple or compound umbels. 



Flower — Sepals, as 5 minute Ueeth, or wanting; 

 petals, 5, often with an inflected tip ; stamens, 5, 

 incurved in bud ; pistil with 2 carpels ; ovary, 

 inferior, having 2 honey -discs above. 



Fruit — A cremocarp of two mericarps, supported 

 on a carpophore. ' 



Corneae. 



The Hassagaywood Tree Family. 



This is a small family of 12 genera and 75 species, 

 represented in South Africa by one plant only. 



Curtis'ia. — C. fagh-iea, the only species, occurs in 



