FLOWERS. 167 



bachelor's buttons (Chrysocoma tenuifolia), and 

 another like a small dandelion (Senecio sp.), are 

 in great profusion. 



Great quantities of a bush having the ap- 

 pearance of heath and with a strong aromatic 

 smell, especially when burning, grow here, also 

 bearing yellow flowers (Helichrysum parvi- 

 floruni). One small yellow flower (Tribulus 

 terrestris) has a seed-pod covered with sharp 

 spines. When ripe these pods get blown about 

 by the wind in all directions, and are constantly 

 getting into the feet of men and animals, causing 

 them much pain. This plant is greedily eaten 

 by my tortoise. My dear old horse Fritz (my 

 latest pet, of w T hom I shall have much to say 

 later on) also likes it, and does not seem to mind 

 the thorns at all. He also daintily nibbles off 

 the flowers I consider like bachelor's buttons. 



Another plant, with very pretty dark and 

 light crimson bell-shaped flowers, an inch and a 

 half long (Pretrcea Zanguebarica), has a still 

 more dreadful seed-pod hard and flat, with 

 two spines standing straight up in the middle 



