24 



vigorous as ever. It is I believe more properly called G. 

 esculeatus, and the small tubers have been used as a substitute 

 for coffee, and as food in the south of Europe. 



Datura Stramonium. (Linn). Natural order Solanaceae. — 

 An introduced weed now found at all altitudes in the colony, 

 but perhaps most plentifully near the coast. Simply con- 

 sidered as a weed it is not very formidable, but it contains an 

 alkaloid called "daturin," and all parts of the plant are more 

 or less poisonous. It has been used medicinally in neuralgia, 

 epilepsy, and asthma. 



Echinospermum capense. (D.C.) Natural order, Boragineae. 

 — A plant closely related to the Oynoylossums, and likely also 

 to prove a pest on sheep farms; the chief difference between the 

 two genera appears to be that while the seed vessels of Gyno- 

 glossums are covered all over with the hooked bristles, those of 

 EcJnnospermum have them at the margin only, but in either 

 case the purpose of distributing the seeds is equally well accom- 

 plished. The seed vessels in both genera consist of four little 

 nuts, which are affixed to a central column, from which at 

 maturity they are easily detached, The flowers of the above 

 named species are either blue or white, and are produced in 

 great abundance. 



Eclipta t recta. (Linn). Natural order, Gompositae. — A 

 common tropical weed, found in waste places, and ill-kept 

 ground all over the coast districts, but not extending far up 

 country. The flowers are yellow, and the plant is not specially 

 troublesome. 



Brig er on canadense. (Linn). Natural order, Gompositae. — 

 A weed belonging to the same order as the last-named one and 

 found in waste and cultivated lands all over the colony. Except 

 for the great profusion in which it occurrs, it is scarcely worth 

 naming here, as it is very easily got rid of. The name signifies 

 " soon becoming old," and is very appropriate, as the plant 

 flowers very early, and has a worn out appearance. It is a 

 common weed in all tropical countries. 



Euphorbia sanguiuea. (E.M.) Natural order, Euphorbiaceae. 

 — A common weed all over the colony, found usually on walks, 

 in damp places, or in slight shade. It is a native of Tropical 

 and South Africa, but the natives do not appear to have any 

 distinctive name for it. The flowers are an interesting object 

 for microscopical examination. 



Euphorbiapilulifera. (Linn). Natural order, Euphorbiaceae. 

 — A tropical weed found on the coast lands only, and probably 

 introduced. It is not in great abundance, and is only enumer- 

 ated here, as it is used medicinally both in Natal and at Home, 

 and the dried leaves are an article of commerce. 



