278 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Res'tio. — This genus gives tlie name to the order, 

 and contains about 100 species. The perianth con- 

 sists of six unequal glumes, or chaff-like scales, instead 

 of petaloid perianth leaves (Fig. 108, III.). 



There are three stamens in the male flower (III.), 

 and a pistil of two to three carpels in the female (V.). 

 The fruit is a capsule. 



Do'vea. — This differs from Bcs'tio in having de- 

 ciduous sheaths instead of persistent ones to the leaves 

 — that is, they fall off instead of remaining on, forming 

 the conspicuous dark-coloured tubes round the stems. 



D. tectorum, of the Cape fiats, is used for thatching, 

 as the name implies. 



General Description of the Bestio Family, 



Herhs — With scaly rhizomes. 



Leaves — Linear, with persistent tubular sheaths. 



Flowers — Dioecious, perianth glumaceous, persistent, 

 of 6 glumes in 2 whorls ; male, stamens, 3 ; filaments 

 adherent to base of inner glumes ; anthers, 1 -celled ; 

 female, ovary, 1- to 3-celled. 



Fruit — Capsule, 1- to 3-celled, dehiscent, or nut-like, 

 and indehiscent. 



