Minutes of Proceedings. 
xxvii 
Plastids are very scarce within tiie area of the leaf -spots. 
A comparison is suggested with the leaves of Monstera, another well- 
known Aroid. 
A drawing and microphotographs were shown, illustrating the 
structure of the leaf-spots in transverse section. 
" Some New or Little-known South African Succulents," by Dr. E. 
Maeloth. With plate. 
Among the plants dealt with in the present paper are a few of special 
interest. 
Crassula teres belong to the small subgenus Pyramidella, of which 
C. pyramidalis is known to most visitors of the Karroo. Like this and 
the allied C. columnaris, it possesses a fringe of hairs on its leaves, which 
are capable of absorbing, dew or rain-water. 
Of the new species of Euphorbia one deserves special mention, viz., 
E. ferox. This forms rounded lumps about a foot in diameter, coloured 
brown like the soil of the Karroo, and provided with a formidable arma- 
ment of stout spines. The colonial name " voetangel " is very appropriate, 
for if a barefooted person should happen to step on such a plant he would 
certainly not run any further. 
Another interesting plant mentioned is Aloe lyurpurascens. This 
species, so far only known from cultivated plants, is considered by several 
authors to be merely a variety of Aloe succotrina, an error which is due 
to the want of information we possess about these plants. Up to a few 
years ago the habitat of neither species w^as known, and it was even 
thought that A. succotrina came from the island of Socotra and supplied 
the drug of that island. In fact, in one of the most modern handbooks, 
viz., Strasburger's, the species is still figured as the source of the drug. 
When a few years ago A. succotrina was found on a field of boulders at 
the foot of the eastern cliffs of Table Mountain, about 1,000 feet above 
Newlands, the locality of A. purpurascens remained still unknown. 
However, plants gathered near the mouth of the Klein Eiver have now 
flowered in my garden, and show very distinct differences in flowers and 
leaves from A. succotrina; hence the uncertainty about the origin and 
specific difference of these two species is now removed. 
Annual Meeting. 
September 18, 1912. 
The President, L. Peringuey, was in the Chair. 
Business : — 
The following were elected Fellows : Professor W. A, Jolly, Professor 
B. St. J. VAN DER EiET, Mr. J. Medley Wood. 
