a new Species of Convolvulus. 155 
The flowers at once proclaimed the plant to be a true Convol- 
vulus, alien otherwise in aspect as it is entirely from the majority 
of species of the genus. It belongs, however, to a remarkable 
group of species similar in habit and locality (C. spinosus, Desh., 
hystrix, Vahl, Forskahli, Del., sericeus, Burm. &c.), found only 
in the desert plains or wastes of Syria, Persia, and Arabia. It 
is therefore a matter of considerable interest to find a represen- 
tative of so peculiar a group in the Canaries, where it is, how- 
ever, in some degree linked on to the more ordinary twining 
shrubby forms by the intervention of the scarcely less anomalous 
C. scoparius, L. fil. 
I could not discover in the plant itself, either on the spot or 
subsequently, any confirmation of the notion of its being avail- 
able as a perfume. Both root and wood, leaves and flowers, 
were equally devoid of fragrance fresh or dry; nor was there 
any trace of resin, or essential oil, or glandular exudation per- 
ceptible in any part of the plant. 
My attention was directed, however, by my guides to its pro- 
perty of catching fire instantly, and burning readily, whilst 
green, or even growing,—which would seem to indicate the 
existence of some inflammable essential oil or principle. This 
property I verified upon the spot ; and it seemed to be the only 
character which gave it any value in the estimation of the few 
country people in the neighbourhood who were at all acquainted 
with the plant. 
Convolvulus caput-Meduse. 
C. dumosus humilis nanus pulvinato-cespitosus ramosissimus duris- 
simus spinosus cinereus; ramulis abbreviatis lignosis densissime 
glomerato-intertextis, novellis strictis rigidis acutis spinescenti- 
bus; foliis parvis lineari-oblongis v. anguste spathulatis obtusis 
crassiusculis sericeo-cinereis ; floribus axillaribus solitariis breviter 
pedicellatis parvis extus sericeis, antheris (purpureo-lilacinis) in 
fauce apparentibus subexsertis; stylis 2 distinctis filiformibus 
antheras paulo excedentibus. 
Hab. m sterilibus arenosis saxosisque aridis apricis regionis 
submaritimee ore occidentalis Insule Fuerteventuree, Promonto- 
rium Jandize versus, ad alt. 200-500 fere ped.—Florentem die 6% 
Aprilis 1859 inveni. 
A most remarkable and (for its genus) paradoxical species, so 
excessively dwarfed down and stunted that it has more the ap- 
pearance, when growing, of a rounded convex stone, covered 
with a grey Lichen, or of some Madreporiform mass, such as 
the Brain-coral (Meandrina, Lamk.), than of a phenogamous 
plant ; though, when torn up by the root, it presents rather the 
form and aspect of some enormous grey fungus (Boletus), being 
a stipitate, pulvinate, often hemispherical or turbinate, hard, 
woody, spinous mass of densely interwoven, rigid branches, 
11* 
