133 



acutae, erectae^ imbricatae, argenteae. Sepala 3 mm. longa, 

 2 mm. lata, ovata vel elliptico-ovata, subacuta vel obtusa, mem- 

 branacea vel petaloidea, albida vel carneo-albida. Petala 5, alba 

 vel carneo-alba, 2'5 mm. longa, 1'5-1'75 mm. lata, elliptica vel^ 

 elliptico-oblonga, obtusa. Stamina 6; filamenta basi brevissime 

 connata, glabra: antherae 1'5 mm. longae, dorsifixae, luteae. 

 Ovarium globosum, glabrum; stylus 1'25 mm. loBgus; stigma 

 simplex. Capsula 4 mm. longa, oblonga, 4-valvis. 



Tropical Africa. Rhodesia : Matopo, 7. G. McDonald, W. 

 E. Dow sett; Salisbury, H. (?, Mundy. 



This curious little plant presents the appearance of a tuft of 

 short silvery cylindric stems arising from a fleshy tuberous root, 

 without evidence of leaves or expanded flowers. The leaves are 

 minute, and concealed under the small silvery scales which clothe 

 the stem, and the flowers are concealed by the bracts which wrap 

 round them in bud-like form at the tips of the branches. It was 

 first sent to Kew by Mr. J. G. McDonald, as being used by the 

 natives as a remedy for blackwater fever. The natives are said 

 to brew it and throw away the first brew, using the second brew 

 for severe cases, and the third for mild ones. Subsequently it 

 was received from Mr. H. Godfrey Mundy, of Salisbury, Rho- 

 desia, under the native name of '^Qilika/' as being used 

 extensively in the manufacture of intoxicating liquors, but its 

 use will probably be prohibited by law, as it is found to be 

 deleterious. Dr. R. Marloth, in his Flora of South Africa, 

 vol. i., records that A. ustulata, E. Mey., is also used by the 

 natives in the making of a kind of beer, and for preparing a yeast, 

 I have also been informed that A. papyracea, E. Mey., is used to 

 make an intoxicating drink. As these three species are allied to 

 one another, and all have the same general habit, they probably 

 have similar medicinal properties. If the flowers of these species 

 ever expand they must remain open for a very short time. All 

 the parts are fully developed, but I have never seen an expanded 

 flower of A. ustuiata or A, papyracea, although I have seen and 

 had them under cultivation for some years. Ereshly^ gathered 

 specimens of A. rhodesica in full flower have been sent in fluid to 

 Kew by Mr. W. E. Dowsett, but all the flowers were unopened, 

 although sepals, petals, stamens and ovary were fully developed. 

 Ripe seeds are, however, freely produced. 



1492. Helichrysum eriophorum, Conrath [Compositae-Inu- 

 loideae]; affine H, lanato, Harv., a quo foliis angustioribus 

 capitulisque minoribus differt. 



Caulis erectus, simplex, 30-35 cm. altus, ut folia appresse 

 griseo-lanatus, usque ad inflorescentiam foliatus. Folia sessilia, 

 oblongo-lanceolata, in basin sensim angustata, apice ^ acuto 

 recurvato saepe glabrescente ; folia intermedia ceteris longiora et 

 latiora, usque ad 8 cm. longa, ad 1'4 cm. lata, 5-nervia, inferiora 

 breviora, sup^riora angustiora. Infiorescentia circiter 2 b cm. 

 diametro. Capitvla in corymbum densissimum globosum con- 

 gesta, sessilia, oblongo-ovoidea, 3*5-4 mm. longa, 1*5 mm. crassa, 

 10-12-flora. Involvcri hracteae pluriseriatae, citrinae, oblongo- 

 lanceolatae, longe acute acuminatae, basi lanatae. Achaenia 

 glabra. Pappi setae pilis longis appressis. 



