230 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



leathery, or coriaceous, texture. In some the surface is 

 covered with hair, as the Silver-tree, and others 

 secrete wax, etc. ; but in all cases both the surface and 

 the interior structure are adapted to great drought. 

 This is a common feature both in South Africa and 

 South- West Australia, where members of this family 

 abound ; but there is no single species common to both 

 countries. 



Leucosper'muni. — The illustrations (Fig. 91, A, L- 

 III.) will show the structure of the flower, which is 

 very simple and much the same throughout the family. 



It consists of a calyx of four sepals only (HI.), 

 joined into a tube below, and having the four free 

 portions above. Upon each of these sepals lies a 

 stamen, the filament being adherent to it (IL). 



The pistil is in the middle and quite free (II.) ; its 

 ovary is, therefore, superior. 



Pro'tea. — The flowers of this genus are like those 

 of the preceding, and arranged in heads. The involucre 

 consists of persistent coriaceous bracts, sometimes 

 coloured. The fruit retains the long style as an 

 appendage ; the ovary, being covered with stiff hairs, 

 forms an achene. 



The Sugar-bush (P. mcllifcra) and Waageboom 

 (P. grandiflora) are common species. 



Pro'tea grandiflo^ra. — This is known as the " Wagon- 

 tree," the jvood being useful for various purposes. The 

 leaves contain a good deal of tannic acid, so that they 



