294 t)8irp pnd n\imerous dead ones to a growth, forming dense clusters, 

 sscendin^c;, shortl^T- united et the base, trigonous, acute, v/lth acute 

 edges <?nd keel, smooth v'snd glabrous. Fiov.ers solitary, terminal, 

 pedicellate, v/ith a pair of small leaves at the base of the pedicel. 

 Cal;^^: subeouelly P-rlobed dovm to its union v.'ith the ovary. Corolla 

 onl;"' seen in an undeveloped hnA "^nd not properly determinable, but 

 the petals appeared to be united, yet may not be so when fully de- 

 veloped. Stamens vey numerous, erect, not collected into a cone; 

 f laments not bearded at the base. Stiema 7 or 8, subulate, depres- 

 sions at the top, and slightly 7 or 8-grooved, or floor of the cells. 



Capsule obconic below, flattish, vrith 7 or 8 much raised and gaping 

 valves on the ton, and with 7-8 valves and cells; valves sprealng 

 v:hen expanded, and together with the whole inside of the capsule 

 brovm; expanding-keels narrowly diverging from the base, much raised, 

 thin, with minutelj'' toothed, acute edges, and produced into straight 

 awns extending to the tip of the valve, and furnished belov; the 

 awns with irregularly toothed marginal wings; cells somewhat acutely 

 roofed v/ith membranous cell-v/ings, and with a small placental tub- 

 ercle tjiat scarcely forms any obstruction at the opening, oeeds not 

 seen, 



A monot^rpic genus, native of South Africa, 

 The name is derived from the Greek, peris sos, exceeding in 

 num.ber, and lobos, a lobe, because the calyx is 8-lobed, the onl^ 

 member of the whole group known to me to have constantly so many 

 calyx-lobes. 



1, P, Bijiii, IT, E, Br, — Plant and leaves as described for 

 the genus. Leaves 9-1^ lines long, 4-6 lines broad and 4-5 lines 

 thick, flat on the face, acutely keeled on the back with sharp 

 edges and keel which is often slightly oblique, and one side 

 flattis^i or slightly concave and the other -^erj slightly convex, 

 rather light green, vrith the edges often purplish, not dotted, 

 either pellucidly or otherv/ise. Pedicels 4-6 lines long, '^eljx 

 subeoually P-lobed; lobes 4-5 lines long, 2-3 lines broad, ovate, 

 acute, keeled, some with membranous margins. Fiov/ef as described 

 under the genus. Stamen s with white filaments and rich yellov; anthei 

 Stigmas greenish. Capsule 4i--5 lines in diameter when closed, and 

 as described for the genus. 



Somerset 3ast Division, localitv not specified, i»Irsl 0. van 

 der Bijl, 93. 



^ regret that I cannot be present give a more complete account 

 of the flower of this interesting and very distinct plant, which 

 differs from all others of this group known to me by having an 

 295 eight-lobed calyx, and by that character should be easily recognised. 

 The appearance of the plant, too, with a mxiss of herd and rigid 

 dead leaves under the living ones is unusal, 



N. 2, Brown 

 (To be continued.) 



lIESEI-ffiRYAKTHEI'/IUI.:. 

 Gard. Chron. HI, 89: ?89, 1931, 

 (Continued from page 295.) 



PREPODESICA, N. E, Br. 



389 Perennial, stemless Succulent, with a fleshy rootstock. 



Leaves opposite, in 2-4 pairs to a grov/th, crowded, fleshy, trigon- 



