108 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



pyramidalis, L., Fig. 90, the leaves shade one another, and no 

 unnecessary growth is expended in stem and branches. 



A plant's success in life is estimated by its ability to pro- 

 duce fruit so that its kind may be perpetuated. Judging by 

 that standard, we cannot attribute failure to Cotyledon reti- 



FiG. 92. Crassula columnaris, L. , in cultivation. On the veld it is still 

 more compact with densely packed leaves. 



culata, Th., in Fig. 91, although the plant looks as though it had 

 grown on the principle that the end justified the means. A 

 large supply of food is stored in the ungainly trunk faster than 

 the slender leafless twigs give it out. There is little waste, and 

 so the plant does not come to want during the long droughts 

 that occur where this plant loves to dwell. As an example of 

 untidiness it is perfect. 



