20 



Branches decussate. Flowers dioecious, whorled, sessile. 

 Fruit a globose white berry. 



A parasitical shrub (called Vogeleend), growing on the 

 stems of several species of RJms and Euclea, in most parts of 

 the colony. In its appearance and properties it is nearly 

 allied to the European Misthtoe. Its stems are mucila- 

 ginous, and a little astringent. These are employed as an 

 antispasmodic in cases of epilepsy in children and young 

 females, where the bowels are loose, and where the disease 

 is just commencing. It has also been recommended in St. 

 Vitus' dance, asthma, and similar complaints, and is pre- 

 scribed in the form of powder or decoction. 



VALERIANA. Lin. 



( ValerianecB.) 

 III. — 1. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



46. Valeriana capensis. Thbg. Root tuberous. Stem 

 herbaceous, erect, smooth. Leaves opposite, petiolate, 

 3-yoked, pinnatifid ; lobes alternate, ovato-dentate, 

 pointed ; the uppermost largest. Petioles amplexicaul. 

 Flowers corymbose, red. Bracts 2 opposite, setaceous. 



This species is very closely allied to the European Vale- 

 riana officinalis. Although it may not be quite so power- 

 ful in its effects, yet it resembles the same, not only in its 

 appearance, but also in its medical virtues. Its roots are a 

 favourite remedy in morbid susceptibility of the nervous 

 system, and in the form of infusion are successfully given 

 in typhoid fevers, epilepsy, hysteria, and similar maladies. 

 They are at the same time sudoriferous, and have a salutary 

 effect on intestinal worms. This plant grows in moist places 

 in many parts of the colony, and is particularly common 

 in the George district. 



MATEICARIA. Lin. 



(^CompositcB,) 

 XIX. — SYNGENESIA. LIN. SYST. 



47. Matricaria glabrata. D, C, Root annual, 

 fibrous. Stem herbaceous, erect, branchy, angular. 

 Leaves alternate, * pinnatifid ; lobes linear, entire, 

 pointed ; the upper ones toothed. Flower-heads ter- 

 minal, solitary. Scales of the involucre blunt, with 



