212 Plants and their Ways in Sonth Africa 



are covered with globe-shaped hairs, which ghsten in the sun. 

 The fruit, unhke most capsules, opens and scatters its seeds 

 only in moist weather, when the seeds can germinate. The 

 parts may be made to open and close again and again by 

 placing them alternately in a glass of water, and then drying 

 them in the sun. Dr. Marloth has called our attention to the 

 similarity of the angular leaves to the rocks and pebbles among 

 which they grow, which is a protection from grazing animals, 

 as is also the astringent juice of the leaves. The showy part 



Fig. 2IO. — Mesonbrianthcmuin. I. Stamens. II. Diagram. (From Henslow s 

 " South African Flowering Plants.") 



of the flower is made of stamens which have changed into 

 petal-like bodies. The ovary is inferior, many-seeded, usually 

 5 (4-20-celled). The stamens and glandular receptacle secrete 

 honey. Three hundred species. Abundant south of the 

 Orange River and west of the Fish River. 



Tetragonia. — Calyx 4-parted, yellow within. Stamens 

 varying in number. Ovary inferior, 1-9-celled (usually 4- 

 celled). Fruit sharply 4-angled, winged or horned; cells 

 i-seeded. Succulent herbs, spreading, or sometimes erect and 

 shrubby. Fruit often ripening under the protection of the 

 fleshy leaves close to the ground. 



Order Caryophyllace^. 



Flowers with both calyx and corolla or carolla wanting. 

 Stamens 4-10, free from the perianth. Ovary superior, i-celled, 



