11 



Conium maculatum, L. Order UmBELLIFEREjE. 



This is the common u Hemlock " of Europe, and is well- 

 known as a virulently poisonous plant; its poisonous properties 

 are said to be more active in hot and dry seasons ; fortunately 

 it is at present not very common in Natal, but has beeu twice 

 collected by the writer in the midland districts. 



Datura alba, Nees. Order Solanacea". 



Found in the vicinity of Durban ; it is a very poisonous 

 plant ; cases of poisoning have occurred in Natal which were 

 traced to this plant ; it is very nearly related to the common 

 Stramonium, but seems to be more virulent, and was probably 

 introduced by the Indians, perhaps accidentally. 



Erigeron canadensis, L. Order Composite. 



A common and abundant weed, originally from America, 

 but has been naturalised in Natal some 50 years or more, and 

 is now not uncommon in cultivated lauds ; its popular name in 

 America is " Horseweed," and Mr. Burtt Davy says of it in the 

 u Transvaal Agricultural Journal," " If not eradicated Horse- 

 weed is likely to be particularly injurious to lucerne fields, as 

 it soon overtops the lucerne," cutting it down or mowing is of 

 no use, the best way is to pull the plants up by the roots before 

 seeding. 



Euphorbia pilulifera, L. Order Euphorbiace^. 



A cosmopolitan plant in the tropics, in Natal introduced 

 in late years, it is not uncommon about Durban and has been 

 gathered near Pinetown. It has a great reputation as a 

 remedy for asthma, and is used for this purpose in Europe. 



FuMARIA OFFICINALIS, L. Order PAPAVERACEiE. 



The well-kuown Fumitory or " Smoke-wart ; " the leaves 

 have been used medicinally and probably still are so. The 

 plant is not common in Natal, but was collected by the writer 

 on the South coast some 30 years ago and again lately in the 

 same locality ; it does not appear to spread rapidly. 



GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA, L Older AMARANTACE2E. 



This plant is almost cosmopolitan, but only reached Natal 

 some 20 to 30 years ago, probably with forage. It does not 

 appear as a native of South Africa in Harvey's Genera of 

 South African Plants, published in 1868, but is now quite 

 plentiful in the coast districts, and its eradication would now 

 be a matter of some difficulty. 



