53 



acidity, the leaves, mixed with other vegetables, are used for culinary 

 purposes. The bulbs, eaten raw, are pronounced to be a good ver- 

 mifuge. 



22. Pelargonmyn peltatum. Ait. (Geraniacecs) — 6*^67?^ shrub- 

 like; branches angular somewhat downy. Leaves flesliy, 5 lobed, 

 nearly peltate, glandularly notched ; umbels 7-8 flowered ; petals 

 spreading. 



The juice of the petals produces a blue colour of the tint of indigo, 

 and may be advantageously used fur painting; while the sap of the 

 leaves is astringent and antiseptic, and of good service in ulcerated 

 sore throat. The vernacular name of this plant is Kajir Sorrel (Kaflfer 

 Zuring.) 



23. Peniclllaria Pluhenetii. Link. {Graminece) — Inflores- 

 cence racemose-oblong, cylindrical ; spikelets 2 flowered ; pedicels 

 villose, as long as the spikelets. I3Hstles of the involucre rough 

 or hairy, sometimes shorter than the spikelets. Glumes 2, short, 

 membranous. Lower flower either male or neuter ; upper 

 hermaphrodite or sometimes female ; palecB small, thin, blunt. 

 Stamens 3 ; anthers bearded at top; styles 2 ; stigmata tufted with 

 pencil-like hairs. Knots of the culm shaggy. Leaves rough. 

 (Nees ab. E.) 



The Poco-grass of Caffraria and Natal, from the grains of which the 

 natives prepare an intoxicating liquor or beer. 



24. Physalis pubescens, Lin, {Solanaceai) — Herbaceous, 

 hairy. Stem erect, branchy. Leaves stalked, cordate, wrinkled, 

 acute, entire or unequally toothed. Peduncles solitary, drooping. 

 Corolla rotate, yellow, marked with purple dots. Berry globose, 

 smooth, 2 celled, many-seeded, covered by the large, angular, 

 inflated calyx. 



Although this plant, the Cape Oooseherry (Appel der Liefde), cannot 

 in the strict meaning of the word, be called indigenous, being a native 

 of South America, yet it has become so common in this country, that it 

 is found now in most shady localities, where it grows perfectly wild. 

 The round fruit, a fragrant, smooth, yellow berry, of the size of a goose- 

 berry or cherry, is agreeably acid and sweet, and very palatable. It 

 is eaten either raw, or made into a delicious marmalade. 



25. Polygala myrtifoUa. Lin. (Polygalece.) — Stem shrubby, 

 much branched. Branches alternate, erect, shaggy. Leaves 

 oblong, leathery, blunt, entire, smooth. Flowers racemose, 

 axillary, crested. 



The grey bark of this shrub is used by the Mahommedans (who call it 

 Langelier) for a particular purpose. It is scraped off when frcsli with 

 a knife or piece of broken glass, mixed with Avater, and stirred about 

 until it scums. With this saponaceous preparation they are in the 

 habit of washing their dead before interment. 



