288 OBSERVATIONS ON PLANTS 



observation respecting it. For a very full and interesting 

 history of this plant, I may refer to M. Dehle's ' Flore 

 d'Egypte' (/;. 77, tab. 28). 



Of CisTiNE.^-, three species were observed between 

 Tripoh and Monrzuk. 



The Geraniace^e of the collection consist of foiu' 

 species of Erodium, all of Avhich were found on the same 

 journey. 



Of Malvace/E, considered as a class, there are twelve 

 species in the herbarium. Only two of these are particu- 

 larly deserving of notice. The first, Adansonia du/itata, 

 found in Soudan, where the tree is called Kouka, is de- 

 scribed by Captain Clapperton; the second, Melhania 

 233] Benhamii, a new and remarkable species of the genus, 

 differing from all the others in having its bractese regularly 

 verticillated and, at the same time, longer and much broader 

 than the divisions of the calyx. 



A single species of Vitis is in the collection, from 

 Bornou. 



Neurada prostrata, generally referred to Rosacese, was 

 found in AYady Ghrurbi. 



Tamariscine^. a species of Tamaiix, apparently 

 not different from T. gallica, is the Attil, common in 

 Fezzan, Vvdiere, acccording to Dr. Oudney, it is the only 

 shady tree. 



Loranthej::. A species of Loranthus, parasitical on the 

 Acacia nilotica, was observed very commonly from Fezzan 

 to Bornou. 



Leguminos^. Of this class the herbarium contains 

 thirty-three species, among which there are hardly more 

 than two undescribed, and these belonging to a well- 

 established genus. 



Of the order or tribe ^Iimose/E only three species occur, 

 namely, Acacia nilotica. Mimosa Habbas, and l}}(/a higlo- 

 bosa, or a species very nearly related to it. Of this last- 

 named plant, I judge merely from ripe fruits adhering to 

 the singular club-shaped receptacle, or axis of the spike. 

 The specimens were collected in Soudan, and belonging to 

 a tree of considerable importance to the inhabitants of that 



