44 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



The flowers are solitary in younger specimens, but in older ones 

 2-4 appear in the course of a month at the junction of the leaves. 

 They are large, opening towards evening and closing at sunset. 

 Calyx fleshy, segments 6, 2 of which are larger ; the petals are 

 numerous, pluriseriate, linear, exceeding the calyx by one-half its 

 length, measuring 20-22 mm. Capsule globose. 



This species is nearly allied to M. Bolusii, Hook fil. (see fig. in 

 Vol. XV. of these Trans., tab. 8), from which it differs principally 

 in the shape of the leaves. In both species a transverse section 

 made near or beyond the middle of the leaf would give a blunt-angled 

 triangle, but while in M. Bolusii the apex of the triangle is above, it 

 would be below in M. simulans. 



The difference in the longitudinal section is equally obvious, and 

 best understood from the illustration. The old leaves generally 

 wither when the new ones are fairly developed and the plant rarely 

 branches, hence there is mostly only 1 pair of leaves. Occasionally 

 one finds specimens with 2 or 3 pairs of leaves, while in M. Bolusii 

 such specimens are more common. 



Brought by Mr. E. Pillans from the neighbourhood of Klipplaat, 

 South of Graaff Eeinet. Growing on stony hills. Flowering at 

 Rosebank in March, 1907. Marloth No. 4378. 



Mesembrianthemum bilobum, n. spec. 

 Fig. 2, Plate V, 



Caulis lignosus, ramosus, subterraneus. Rami brevissimi, aggre- 

 gati foliis binis confluentibus terminati. Foliorum corpusculum 

 obcordatum, crassum, glaucum. Flos solitarius e centro foliorum ; 

 ovarium stipitatum, cylindricum, inclusum ; petala exserta, flava. 



Each branch is terminated by 2 leaves, which are connate for 

 about f of their length. Each leaf 20-25 mm. long, 6-8 mm. broad,' 

 and 10-12 mm. thick. The fleshy corpuscle, formed by the connate 

 leaves, is compressed from the sides, making the leaves thicker than 

 wide. A number of these bodies are crowded together at the surface 

 of the ground, forming a fleshy lump. 



The plant was sent to me from Little Na'maqualand, and flowered 

 in my garden in May, 1906. Marloth No. 3750. 



Mesembrianthemum pubescens. Haw., 



Obs. 138, Syn. 227. 



Also Bonder in Flor. cap. ii., p. 405. 



This species belongs to the section (§ 9) Gibbosa, in which the 



leaves of each pair are of very unequal size. The short branches are 



