296 ODOROGRAPHIA. 



young branches downy. It is found in sandy soils 

 in the Cape district and S. E. Coast, and frequently 

 with M. serrata* Of this species there are two 

 yarieties cultivated in English o-ardens. 



4. M. laciniata. — Leaves oblong, linearly divided from the 



margin towards the mid-rib in a feather-like manner. 

 The younger branches covered with resinous 

 punctures. Found principally on sandy loam or 

 clay soil in the George district. 



5. M. cardifolia. — Leaves somewhat heart-shaped, serrate, 



sessile, somewhat imbricated. There are two 



varieties of this species ; the leaf margins of one of 



them being entire, j M. cardifolia affects a more 



moist soil, although it has been found to grow well 



on the sands on some parts of the Cape Flats, but 



this is owing more to the age of the plants, having 



in the first instance vegetated in a better soil, the 



sand afterwards accumulating by degrees about their 



stems keeps the roots cool and comparatively moist, 



and enables the plant to resist the drying heat of 



the atmosphere, and extend both root and stem in 



all directions ; the latter generally forming new 



roots in the upper layer of sand, which, descending, 



contriljute to the support of the plant. 



The soil most congenial to the growth of Myrica is that of a 



sandy nature, dark in colour from the vegetable matter that it 



contains, but such is the nature of these shrubs in South Africa 



that they appear to thrive in soils and situations of very opposite 



character, and to be equally productive on loamy sand as they 



would on the lighter and richer bog earth. In the latter, if very 



moist, and insufficiently drained, the plant would be injured by the 



stagnant moisture. 



The M. cardifolia, producing the largest berry, is the species 

 mostly recommended for culture in South Africa, as being the most 

 profitable in crop, also Ijy reason of the character of its growth, 

 its spreading branches mere rapidly covering the ground than any 

 of the other species. 



* Jacquin, Fragraenta Botanica, Fasc. 2, t. 1, f. 4. 

 t Phink. Phy., t. 319, f. 7. 



