211 
length of the internodes on the barren shoots, and the character 
of the perennial vegetative stem, are also of importance for 
correct classification. It is hoped that future collectors of 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, 
Dianthus is a typically Northern Hemisphere genus, not 
being known (except as introduced) in South America, Australia 
or New Zealand. Therefore the occurrence of seventeen species 
in South Africa, is of peculiar interest. All of these are strictly 
endemic, as far as known, though some of the Transvaal species 
may be expected to occur in Southern Rhodesia. Four species 
(D. Pearsonii, D. kamisbergensis, D. namaensis and D. junceus), 
are restricted to Namaqualand and the South-west Protectorate. 
ne (D. micropetalus), extends from the South-west Protectorate, 
across the Kalahari and Karoo to the Eastern Cape. Another 
species (D. Burchellii), is endemic to Griqualand West, on the 
eastern edge of the Kalahari. Four species and one variety 
(D. incurvus, D. Bolusii and its var. luteus, D. caespitosus and 
D. prostratus), occur in the winter rainfall belt of the South West 
Cape region, (some of them extending eastward toward the 
Sundays River). One (D. scaber), appears to be peculiar to the 
Eastern Cape. Three species and one variety (D. basuticus, 
D. crenatus, D. mooiensis and D. micropetalus var. Galpini), 
extend from the Eastern Cape through Basutoland, Natal and 
the Orange Free State to the Transvaal. The remaining three 
species and one variety (D. transvaalensis, D. Kirkii, D. Zeyheri, 
and D. mooiensis var. dentatus), are known only from the 
Transvaal. 
_ As in the case of Salix*, the genus appears to have reached 
South Africa by way of the high mountain ranges of Eastern 
Tropical Africa. soe 
Tropical African Species—Only three species (D. longiglumis, 
Del., D. leediee Steud.. and D. angolensis, Hiern), are known to 
occur in Tropical Africa, and these three show close affinity with 
the South African species. They are found in Angola and 
Abyssinia respectively; the Abyssinian forms, or connecting 
links between them and the South African forms, should be 
sought in the high mountains of Eastern Tropical Africa. ' 
D. leptoloma, Steud., of the mountains of Abyssinia, is a need 
ally of D. basuticus, differing chiefly in the less exserted calyx- 
tube. 
J , ini ity with D. 
D. longiglumis, Del., of Abyssinia, shows affinity witl 
Bolusii and D. basuticus in stem and foliage, and to D. anenors 
in length of calyx-tube and size of petals, which, however, = 
exceed even those of D. caespitosus, and have very long-exse 
* Burtt Davy, J._-The Distribution and Origin of Salix in South 
Africa ; Journal of Ecology, vol. x. pp. 62-86, 1922. 
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