ey 
I find that there is no specimen of this plant in the Herbarium of Linnaeus fil. at the 
Linnean Society, so that, as in so many other cases, he undoubtedly described from 
Thunberg’s specimens, which must be regarded as the type. 
M. ciliatum, Thunb., “ Fl. Cap.” p. 416. 
One sheet of good specimens. 
This plant has hitherto been included m the genus Mesembryanthemum, but its 
appearance is so distinctive that I expected it would differ in floral structure from that 
genus, and upon dissection I found this to be the case ; for besides the very remarkable 
character of the ring of deflexed hairs at the base of the leaf-sheaths, I find the petals are 
- united into a short tube at their base, the ovary is nearly superior, and the capsule of 
quite a different type from that of Mesembryanthemum. | therefore propose to found the 
genus TRICHOCYCLUS for its reception and that of two allied species, which will be described 
at the end of this account of endie species. 
TRICHOCYCLUS, N.E.BR. 
Dwarf bushy plants with erect succulent ME Leaves opposite, united below 
into a short sheath, which is ciliate all around its-very base with deflexed hairs, persistent. 
Calyx 5-lobed. Petals numerous, .inited into a short tube at the base.’ Stamens numerous, 
perigynous. Ovary nearly superior, with only a short basal portion immersed in the calyx- 
tube, 5 (—6?) -celled; stigmas 5 (-6?7). subulate; ovules, few in each cell. Capsule 
5 (—6 7) -valved: valves sub-erect when open, wingless, and without expanding keels, 
but with a pair of erect, free, ovate, obtuse processes arising from their base within that 
close over the seeds and somewhat resemble valves of an inner capsule ; they are probably 
the homologues of the cell-wings of the capsule of Mesembryanthemum. Seeds few in each 
cell, compressed. The name is derived from the Greek Thrix, a hair. and Kyklos, a circle. 
in allusion to the circle of deplexed hairs at the base of the leaf-sheaths. 
T. cmatus, N.E.Br-Mesembryanthemum ciliatum, Ait. ` Hort. Kew.” ed. 1. 
Wart p. 179 (4789) ; Thunb. im Nov. Act.” Acad. Beop -Car. Kphem.,”’ Vol. VIII, 
Append., p. dt eb751). 
Collected between the Olifants River and Hekel ie si in the Van Rhynsdorp 
Division. 
This plant is identical with Pearson No. 3941, from south-west of Bitterfontein, in 
the same region. j 
M. corallinum, Thunb., “ Fl. (ap.,” p. 416. 
One specimen in a Howerless Ee The original reference is— 
M. corallinum, Thunb. in * Nov. Act. Acad. Leop. Car. HEphem.,” Vol. VIII, Append., 
# 12 (791). 
A shrublet. hard and woody except at the young parts, much-branched, and apparently 
stout at the basal part, the lower part of Thunbereg’s type being 4 lines thick, the branches 
much less stout, and the branchlets rather less than 1 line thick. constricted at the nodes 
into short joints 2-3 lines long, glabrous, evidently smooth when alive. Leaves 2-3 lines 
long and about ? line broad and as much in thickness. subterete, slightly flattened above. 
obtuse or subacute, incurved- -spreading, glabrous. According to Thunberg. the flowers are 
solitary and terminal at the apex of the branchlets, sessile. Calyx 5-lobed, green: lobes 
terete erect. Petals many, linear, spreading, white. 
Thanberg states that this grows on dry hills near the Olifants River, towards the north, 
and in the Karroo below the Bokkeveld, and elsewhere. 
1 have not been able to match this with any specimen in the Kew Herbarium. but 
there is a larger specimen of it in the British Museum, collected by Masson w hen travelling 
with Thunberg. 
