338 
alte 3-partitus ; lobi ovati, acuti, extra parce ciliati. Stamina 3-4. 
Capsula 2-dyma ; cocci extra hispiduli, 2 mm. longi ; stigmata per- 
sistentia vel subpersistentia, simplicia, papillosa. 
Soutm Arrica. German South-West Africa: Great Namaqua- 
land; Gamokab, Schinz,898; Karukab, Schinz, 899 ; Groot Fontein, 
Dinter, 700. 3 
1410. Adenocline stricta, Prain [ Euphorbiaceae-Crotoneae]; species 
A. ovalifoliae, Turcz., quam maxime affinis sed caulibus rigidis 
internodiis abbreviatis foliisque sessilibus cum stipulis foliaceis 
basi confluentibus facillime distinguenda. 
Herba dioica ; caules erecti, basi lignosi superne stricte virgatim 
ramosi, 20-22 cm. alti, internodi 0°8-1'2 cm. longi. Folia alterna, 
sessilia, firme membranacea, oblonga vel oblongo-lanceolata, acuta, 
basi lata ibique stipulis confluentia, margi out ta, 0°8-1°2 cm 
longa, 5-6 mm, lata; stipulae foliaceae foliis ipsis parum minores 
5-8 mm, longae, 4-5 mm. latae. Flores masculi nondum visi; feminei 
solitares, oppositifolii, pedicellati, pedicellis abrupte reflexis. Calyx 
a segmenta lanceolata, margine serrata, reflexa. 
Ovarium glabrum, Capsula 3 mm. lata, 3-dyma, laevis. 
outH Arrica. Coast Region: Bredasdorp Div.; Riet 
Fontein Poort, near Elim, 30-60 m., Bolus, 8603 ; Schlechter, 9694. 
XLI—HOLLOW TREES. 
W. J. Bran. 
There is no doubt that hollow places in the trunks and limbs of 
trees formed by decay are better filled up. If the cavity be a large 
one the appearance of the trunk is theréby improved, and if it be 
small and properly treated decay is often arrested and new bark 
encouraged to grow over the filled up cavity. It prevents the 
entrance and accumulation of moisture, and thereby removes one of 
the chief predisposing conditions of decay. 
The majority of such decayed hollows have their origin in snags 
left by branches broken off that have rotted back into the trunk 
accident, should always be sawn off close to the trunk, and the sawn 
surface should then be coated over with ordinary coal tar. If a 
snag or stump is left the bark cannot grow over it; damp, fungoid 
parasites and decay sooner or/later follow and gradually find their 
their way towards and eventually into the trunk. Such is the 
most frequent beginning of cavities\in the limbs and trunks of 
trees. The coating of tar renewed every two or three years, makes 
the wound watertight and fungus-proof ; ‘its object being to serve as 
temporary bark until a new natural covering is formed. It is 
certain that the life of many trees, historically famous or otherwise 
notable, might be much prolonged if a close watch against the 
intrusion of decay into the trunks and main branches was maintained. 
With regard to hollows that have already formed the following 
treatment is recommended :—First clean out all the decayed 
material, especially the soft brown crumbling wood and the soppy 
