Sketches of the Botany of South Africa. 



Among the Ericege, some species produce a succession of 

 (lowers for several months, rendering them great and de- 

 sirable ornaments for the flower garden. 



Of the Pioteaceae, several species succeed each other in 

 flower so rapidly that one or other of the tribe may be found 

 in perfection at all seasons. 



Specimens of the Irideae are, more or less, to be met with 

 in every month of the year, though the general season is the 

 months of August, September, and October. Many fine 

 species of this family, flowering at an earlier season, are 

 overlooked. 



The local names are so few, and so frequently given to 

 distinct species of plants, that it is difficult to fix any with 

 correctness, and this might lead to serious mistakes, in sub- 

 stituting plants possessing dangerous properties for those of 

 other descriptions. I again, therefore, beg to call the atten- 

 tion of individuals to this interesting point. The local names 

 and domestic uses of the plants might be marked on the 

 blank spaces of the lists. The aboriginal names are prefera- 

 ble, as being more extended over the country, and among 

 the native tribes sometimes varying but little, and that in 

 pronunciation alone. 



Indigenous Plants, 

 Generally flowering in the Months of December, January, 

 February, and March, in the Cape District. 



Polygales. D. C. Diadelphia Octandria. 

 Muraltia, Muraltia. 



Fj diffusa. St. diffuse. 



phylicoides. St. Phylica-like. 



stipulacea. St. stipuled. 



Caryophylle^,. D. C. Decandria Digynia. 

 D.iANTHtJS. Pink. Anjelier. 



% prostratus. St. prostrate, 



caespitosus. St. ctespitose. 



Rhajineace;e. B. Pentandria Monogynia. 

 Phylica. Phylica. 



^l ericoides. R. S. Heath-leaved, 



stipularis. R. S. horned, 



plumosa. St. feathered, 



buxifolia. R. S. Box-leaved. 



Celastrintl. B. Pentandria Monogynia. 

 I klastrus. Staff-Tree. Pen-doom, 



I? pyracanthus, St. S. red-fruited, 

 multiflora. St. S. many-leaved. 



.Note. — Celwtrus. The shrubs of this genus, being mostly armed with 

 strong spine-, and of close growth, are particularly adapted tor forming 

 hedg( 



