23 



experienced in eradicating them, as they will grow vigorously 

 even if pulled up by the roots and turned completely over on 

 the ground. They are often called " Pigweeds," but it is unsafe 

 to feed pigs, especially young ones, on their leaves and stems, 

 as is often done, as they appear to have some deleterious pro- 

 perties, though the underground stems of some of the species 

 yield starch, and are said to be used as food. 



Guscuta africana. (Willd), Natural order, Gonvolvulaceae.— 

 This is a plant belonging to the same genus as the well known 

 " Dodder," and is probably quite as destructive to the plants 

 upon which it affixes itself ; it should therefore be carefully 

 destroyed whenever found in the vicinity of cultivated lands. 

 Another species, 0. cassythioides, which is parasitical on trees, 

 is known to the natives as " Makumkumka." 



Gyathula cylindrica. (Moq.) Natural order, Amarantaceae. — 



„ globulifera 



„ lappacea ,, ,, „ 



These plants bear their flowers clustered together in cylindrical 

 spikes, or in globose heads, and are extremely annoying to 

 passing travellers from their habit of clinging persistently to 

 the clothing, by the hooked bristles with which the seed vessels 

 are furnished, and for this reason should not be permitted to 

 grow on sheep farms. The two first named are found from the 

 coast to about 3,000 feet above the sea, the latter one in the 

 upland districts only. The second on the list is known to the 

 natives as " Sinana " and is used by them medicinally. 



Uynoylossum enerve- (Turcz). Natural order, Boragineae. 

 ,, micranthum. (Desf). ,, ,, 



Weeds found on hillsides and moist places throughout the 

 colony, and whose seed vessels are more or less thickly covered 

 with hooked bristles, and therefore very undesirable occupants 

 of sheep farms. Specimens of wool have been sent to me in 

 which were found numbers of the seed vessels of one of these 

 plants. 



Gyperus retusus. (Nees). Natural order, Cyperaceae. — A 

 pestilent weed, found in cultivated ground in most parts of the 

 Colony, but especially I think in the coast districts. This 

 plant belongs to the family which are commonly called 

 " Sedges." The base of the stem is bulbous, and not unpleas- 

 antly scented. It propagates itself with great rapidity from 

 long thin roots or stolons which proceed from the main stem, 

 and its rate of growth in the summer season is astonishing. To 

 rid the ground of this pest it is necessary to pull it up by the 

 l'oots and carry it away, simply hoeing or cutting it oft' above 

 the ground is of no use, as in a few days' time it will be as 



