purplish, and the nectariferous tube twice as long as 

 the calyx. 



This plant, which is indigenous in Namaqualand, has 

 tuberous roots, which often attain the size of a man's head, 

 and are called fNamie by the aborigines, who boil them 

 with milk, and make use of them in dysentery. 



12. Pelargonium (Peristera) anceps. Ait. Herbace- 

 ous, smooth. Stems decumbent, three-sided, two- 

 edged. Leaves petiolate, roundish, cordate, lobed, 

 toothed. Stipules oblong, two-parted. Peduncles axil- 

 lary, elongated, umbellate. Umbels many-flowered. 

 Flowers subcapitate, small, crimson. 



This species, which grows plentifully along the water- 

 courses in the Cape and Swellendam districts, is a great 

 favourite with the Malays, who call it roode Rahassarrif 

 and pretend that a decoction of the herb cures suppression 

 of the catamenia, and promotes parturition and abortion, 



13. Pelargonium cucullatum. Ait, Stem shrubby, the 

 whole plant viscid, hairy. Leaves alternate, kidney- 

 shaped, hooded, waved, dentato-crenate. Petioles pa- 

 tent, channelled, longer than the leaves. Flowers ter- 

 minal, umbellate, purple. Umbels many-flowered. 



This fine species, which is very common along the side 

 of Table Mountain, has been recommended in the form 

 of decoction, or as an enema, in colic, nephritis, and sup- 

 pression of urine, and is also an excellent emollient. It 

 appears, that formerly this herb has been exported to 

 Holland, under the name of Herba Althew. Cf. N. L. 

 Burmanni Specimen Botanicum de Geraniis. Lugd. Bat. 

 1759, 4to pag. 35. 



14. Pelargonium. (Dibrachya.) scutatum Stveet. Stem 

 shrub-like. Branches angular, somewhat downy. 

 Leaves fleshy, five-lobed, nearly peltate, glandularly 

 notched. Umbels 7-8 flowered. Petals patent. 



The Kafir-sorrel (Kaffir zuring.) of the colonists The 

 sap oi its leaves is astringent and antiseptic, and of good 

 service in aphthae, sore-throat, etc. The juice of its petals 

 produces a blue colour of the tint of indigo, and may, 

 according to BurcheU, be advantageously used for painting. 

 Very common in many parts of the Eastern districts. 



