236 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



valves, liberating the seeds and throwing them to a 

 distance. The seeds (7) are slightly downy and 

 spotted. There is a w^hite protuberance at one end 

 called a caruncle (7, a) ; a very similar structure 

 occurs in Polyg'cda (Fig. 36). (8) is a section of the 

 seed, showing the embryo in the middle of endosperm. 

 This often contains oil instead of starch, as Castor-oil 

 and Croton-oil. 



There are two or three species of Crdtoii in the 

 Eastern district and Natal. 



Ric'iEus commu'nis, the Castor-oil plant, is com- 

 monly grown, and is partly naturalized, throughout the 

 Colony. 



All the Euphorbias are poisonous in varying degrees. 

 Children have been poisoned by eating the fruits of 

 some species of spurges. 



General Dcscrijjtion of the Euphorliia Family. 



Herbs, shrubs, or trees — Often with an acrid, milky 

 juice. 



Leaves — Alternate, sometimes replaced by spines. 



Floiuers — Unisexual ; calyx, 4- to 6 -parted, or want- 

 ing (Fic2)hor'bia) : male flower, stamens, definite or free, 

 or united ; female flower, ovary, 2-oo celled, styles free. 



Fruit — Capsule, or carpels separating into what 

 are sometimes called eueei. 



