252 BOTANY OF SOCOTRA. 



lobi conniventes, ovato-oblougi, firmi, dorso infra apicem mucronati. Stamina 5, perigyna, 

 cum staminodiis setosis altemantia, filamentis brevibus ; anther* parva?, oblongae. 

 Ovarium ellipsoideum, liberum ; stylus filiforrnis, apice bifidus; ovulum amphitropum, 

 funiculo basilari erecto longiusculo complanato suspensum. Utriculus meiribranaceus, 

 deniiun basi ruptus. Semen ab apice funiculo suspensum, inversum, compressum, testa 

 membranacea. — Fruticuhcs rigidus, salsoloideus, diffusus, caulibus tortis, ramulis intricatis 

 nodosis. Folia opposita et in axillis fasciculata, sessilia, anguste lanceolata v. spiculiformia, 

 integerrima, crassa ; stipulaj interpetiolares, connatse, breves, hyalinaa. Flores parvi, in 

 dichasia breviter ramosa terminalia bracteis obtegentibus majoribus membranaceis 

 brunneis dispositi, sessiles. 



Another monotypic endemic genus. Of the genera in the tribe Paronychiew, 

 in which it falls, Gymnocarpos is its closest ally. That genus is monotypic, 

 and is spread through the Mediterranean region and reaches from the Canary 

 islands to Scindh. Though of the same habit and foliage our plant differs 

 from the generic character of Gymnocarpos in flower and inflorescence, the 

 most salient features of difference being its large membranous bracts of the 

 cymes, the short perianth-tube with connivent lobes, short stamens, and non- 

 adherent ovary. 



Etym. I have named this genus after General Loch, C.B., Commandant at 

 Aden at the time of our expedition, who did everything in his power to make 

 our expedition successful, and from whom I received much hospitable kindness. 



L. bracteata, Balf. fil. he. cit. Tab. LXXXFVV 



Suffruticosa 1-2-pedalis cortice griseo ramis plurimis contractis lateralibus ramulisque termiu- 

 alibus elongatis subtetragonis compressis albido-lepidotis. Folia J-J- p n, longa ^ poll, 

 lata ad extremitates ambos attenuata viridia glabra. Stipidw late ovatas acuta? v. apice 

 setosaB. Dichasia vix 1 poll. diam. ; bractea? late ovataa v. subrotundata3 acutce late 

 inserts membranacea; fusco-brunnere }—%- poll. longaa flores obtegentes. Perianthium £ 

 poll, longum, lobis imbricatis apice subcucullatis margin e membranaceis uervo medio 

 dorsaliter prominulo. Staminodia filamentis staminum multo longiora. Ovarium ^ poll, 

 longum obscure puberulum. 



Nom. Vern. Kalkaho (B.C.S.). 



Socotra. On the slopes of Haghier. Not common. B.C.S. n. 429. 

 Distrib. Endemic. 



A very beautiful undershrub, striking by the contrast of its rich brown 

 inflorescences and bright green leaves. 



Order LXI. AMARANTACE^. 



A considerable order having representatives in all parts of the globe. Six 

 genera are found in Socotra. Two of them are world-wide and include common 

 weeds of cultivation, three have a considerable range through tropical Africa 

 and Asia, whilst the sixth has a limited distribution in Nubia and east Africa, 

 Arabia and eastern India. 



