60 



actually at, or even near, the river-margin, and at a point below 

 Kew, it is possible that it might have been thrown out from the 

 Gardens, and have been river-borne, ultimately being deposited 

 by some high-tide, or back-wash from a river-steamer. Wolver- 

 cote, however, is more than 100 miles up the river from Kew, 

 and out of the reach of tidal influences; and in any case, the 



Fig. 1. A mature capsule of M. louisiana lying upon the ground in its nat- 

 ural position. Note the upwardly and backwardly curving horns, and the 

 hooked spines, especially those forming a prominent line directed towards the 

 opening of the capsule. Nat. size. (Adapted from a drawing of a South African 

 specimen by Mrs. Burtt Davy.) 



fruit was found too far from the river to allow of the idea of 

 water-transport, except at some very distant date in the past; 

 as mentioned above, however, its condition indicates that it is 

 not a very old specimen. 



