GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 537 
or Orchids are observed, and yet these groups of plants are ex- 
tremely numerous in other tropical countries. 
Among the Exotic vegetables which are successfully cultivated 
in Central Africa we may reckon Maize, Rice, Sorghum, Indian 
Corn, Manioch, the Caladium esculentum, or Caraibian Cabbage, a 
plant belonging to the family of the Aracew, the rhizome and 
leaves of which are alimentary ; the Banana, the Mango, and the 
Papaw-tree (Carica papaya), the fruit of which, about the size 
of a small Melon, is eaten either raw or cooked, and the pulp, ° 
mixed with sugar, forms a delicious marmalade ; also the Ananas, 
Figs, Coffee shrub, Sugar-cane, and Ginger, divers species of 
Haricots, and various species of Dolechos, the Earth-nuts, Cotton 
plant, Tobacco, and Tamarinds. Plate XXII., which represents an 
Abyssinian village, will give some idea of the vegetation of Equa- 
torial Africa. Alongside the lofty Palms and Adansonias we see 
here the usual arrangements for cultivating rice. 
South Africa, the region of the Cape of Good Hope, is the 
country of the Proteas, Pelargoniums, Epacridee, Oxalids, and 
Ixias, numerous species and endless varieties of which decorate 
our hothouses and parterres. No other country can compare with 
this region for the prodigious abundance and dimensions of its 
Heaths. It is their true country. While the plains of Europe, 
the Alps included, can scarcely point out half a dozen species, at 
the Cape there are many hundreds. They attain sometimes the 
height of fifteen or sixteen feet. Their leaves are small, incon- 
spicuous, and aricular; but their flowers are sometimes very grand, 
and the colours which decorate them brilliant in the extreme, 
varying from the softest shades to everything that is dazzling. 
The Flora of this region is rich in vegetable forms, but it is by 
no means smiling in its aspect. We find no true forests, grand 
and sombre, in the whole region; there are few creeping plants, 
but, on the other hand, there are many grass plants. The most 
characteristic families are the Restiacew, Iridex, Proteacex, 
Ericaceew, Ficoides, Drosma, Geraniacee, Oxalidee, Polygals. 
Among the various species we may mention the Ixias; the Gla- 
dioles, with their sword-shaped leaves and parti-coloured flowers ; 
the Strelitzias, so remarkable for their inflorescence and for the odd 
division of their blue and yellow flowers; the Proteas, so named from 
