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Hitherto I have only seen this plant in the vicinity of Verulam, 

 where for many years past it has luxuriated in waste places and 

 by roadsides. It is a native of Tropic il America, and has evi- 

 dently been accidentally introduced into Natal, piobably from 

 Mauritius where it abounds. The leaves have been used 

 medicinally as a febrifuge. 



Portulaca oleracea. (Linn). Natural order, Portulacceae. — 

 The common " Purslane," which has become naturalised here, 

 it is somewhat difficult to eradicate, as the succulent stems and 

 branches retain life for a considerable time, and should be 

 carried from the ground after being hoed up. It has antiscor- 

 butic properties, and is frequently used as a salad. 



Bichardsonia scabra. (St. Hil.) Natural order, Bubiaceae. — 

 A most troublesome weed, which in the vicinity of Durban 

 appears to be greatly on the increase. It bears small white 

 flowers, in few flowered heads, which are enclosed in in an 

 involucre, and its leaves and stems are covered with fine white 

 hairs, the roots run for a considerable distance, and take almost 

 complete possession of the ground where it is found ; it is per- 

 haps most destructive to lawns, from which it is very difficult 

 to eradicate. The roots are emetic, and have been used at 

 Home under the name of " White Ipecacuana," but have been 

 completely superseded by the true drug, which is said to be 

 more active and certain in its effects. Baron Mueller quotes it 

 as " an herb for pastures and hay-crop, appreciated in localities 

 with sandy soil." In Natal, however, it is not much appreci- 

 ated for that or any other purpose. 



Bum ex lilxurians. fLinn.) Natural order, Polygonece. — A 

 climber of the " Dock " family, found chiefly at edges of bush, 

 and in newly-cleared land, but soon disappears as cultivation 

 advances. 



Senecio pterophorus. (DC.) Natural order, Compositae. — A 

 tall weed bearing large numbers of yellow flower heads, and 

 appearing in quantity in neglected ground in the summer and 

 autumn, except for the great profusion in which it occurs, and 

 for the rapidity of its growth, it is not a very great pest. 



Siegesbechia orientalis. (Linn.) Natural order, Compositae* 

 — -A well known tropical weed reaching from 1 to 3 feet high, 

 with branching stems and yellow flowers. It is quite confined 

 to the coast and midland districts, not very formidable, and 

 has no useful properties. 



Solarium nigrum. (Linn.) Natural order, Solanaceae. — A 

 very variable, low growing weed, bearing white flowers with 

 conspicuous yellow stamens, berries which are black, when 

 ripe. It has been said to have poisonous properties, but the 

 berries are eaten by children with impunity, and the leaves have 



