FLOWERS. 165 



usually forcing itself up among others to a great 

 height, has succulent stem and leaves, and bears 

 large bunches of a bright yellow honey-scented 

 flower most attractive to beetles and flies. 



Besides the flowering trees and bushes, the 

 field flowers are very plentiful and some 

 remarkably pretty ; but, with a few exceptions, 

 these have no scent. One exquisite little plant 

 (Oxalis semiloba) grows here, with a magenta 

 flower smelling most sweetly of violets. This 

 little plant usually prefers shady places, and 

 sometimes the ground under a large tree is 

 literally carpeted with it. Little edible bulbs 

 resembling the familiar pig-nuts of home are 

 attached to the roots at a depth of about 

 eighteen inches. 



An arum, a new species of Stylochceton, also 

 grows here, with its flower, green outside and 

 reddish-indigo inside, violet-scented. 



In the spring, before the ground is cleared 

 and burnt for the planting, which usually begins 

 about September, the patches of bright-coloured 

 flowers are most refreshing to the eye, but one 



