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A small family containing 8 genera only, two of which are repre- 

 presented in Natal ; th© genus Testudinaria being peculiar to South 

 Africa. The tubers of several species of Dioscorea are the "Yams," 

 so much used as articles of food in most tropical countries. None of 

 our indigenous species have any economic value. The rootstock or 

 tuber of 'I'estudinaria sylvatica which lies on the surface of the ground 

 is in good specimens singularly like a Tortoise. 



Number of species less than 200. 



Tuber fleshy, subterranean. Seeds winged aU round, 



A large family including Smilaceas and Melanthacese which in 

 Harvey's Genera of South African Plants form distinct Orders. Many 

 species of the Order are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers, 

 and others for the properties they possess. Amongst the former, the 

 Tulips and Lillies probably stand foremost, but the Hyacinth, 



