247 
other known succulent plant. In rough comparison it may be likened 
to a green pine-apple with a number of spikes irregularly protruding 
from it. In structure it consists of a stout conical fleshy axis 
densely covered from the base nearly to the apex with short cylindric 
horizontally spreading branches, forming a conical mass varying 
from 3 inches to 2 feet in height and 3 to 10 inches in diameter at 
the base, according to age. From between the branches of younger 
plants, and from the tips of them also in old plants, arise the stout 
spine-like processes seen in the figure, which are really barren 
peduncles. Flowers have not been seen. 
Although so different from £. Caput-medusae in appearance, 
£. multiceps is only a modification of the same type of structure. 
In the former the main axis does not elongate so fast as its branches, 
which therefore becomes 2-3 times as long as the main axis is high 
and spread out on all sides, forming a convex cushion-like mass. 
Whilst in the latter the main axis elongates much faster than its 
branches, which are always many times shorter than it, thus forming 
a conical mass. 
E. multiceps is a native of South Africa, where it grows in the 
Karoo region around Matjesfontein and in little Namaqualand. 
The plant represented in the photograph was received from Prof. 
H. H. W. Pearson in March, 1911, and was collected by him 
during the Percy Sladen Expedition in Namaqualand. 
N.E. B. 
Presentations to Museums.—T he following miscellaneous specimens 
have been received in addition to those previously recorded in the 
etin :— 
Lochiel, Achnacarry, Inverness,—Transverse sections of wood 
of Larch and , 
Messrs. Dring and Fage, Stamford Street, London, 8.E.—A 
collection of scientific Instruments used in Forestry. 
Mr. James Whitton, Superintendent of Parks, Glasgow.— 
Sections of wood of Abies concolor, A, Nordmanniana, 
A, nobilis, Picea sitchensis, Betula alba, and Ulmus 
campestris, 
Mr. W. W. Courtenay, Richmond, Surrey.—Section of stem 
of Prunus domestica, infested with Stereum purpureum. 
Mr. M. T. Dawe, Mozambique.—Sliced tubers of Wild Yam 
Dioscorea sp.). 
Mr. V. F. Leese, Parkend, Gloucester.—Sections of Larch 
and Oak. 
Messrs. Wigglesworth & Co., Fenchurch Street, London, 
E.C.—Sample of Sisal Hemp (Agave rigida, var. sisalana), 
from British East Africa. 
Mr. H. R. A. Mallock, F.R.S., London, S.W.—Photographs 
of Branching Date Palms from Tenerife. 
Mr. F. A. Stockdale, Botanic Gardens, Demerara.—Photo-_ 
< aphs of Coco de Mer (Lodoicea sechellarum). 
_ Mr. R. G. Noteutt, Woodbridge.—Section of trunk and a plank 
of Corsican Pine (Pinus Laricio). 
Mr. Stuart R. Cope, Westminster.—Seeds of Manihot hepta- 
phyla, . 
