Synoptical and Specific Descriptions. 
109 
lo ng 3 m.m. wide, oblong, sessile, usually 3-branched. Fertile inflorescence of 1 or occasionally 2 membranous ovule-bearing scales terminal on a short many- 
bracted peduncle. Bracts deciduous, and the receptacle does not become succulent. Seed globose, 1 am. diameter with a glaucous skin and smooth bony shell. 
va uab e timber tree abundant in parts of Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, East Africa Protectorate, and Abyssinia, but which only touches the western boundary 
of this Province in kloofs along the Lebombo range. Seen by me only at Estatuene, but I was informed that on the Swazi side of the border it is more frequent. 
It consequently hardly enters the commercial forestry of this Province. For further details as to the economic value of this and other South African Podocarpi see 
torest Flora of Cape Colony,” 332-335. v 
Plate XCVII. A. 1, Branch of male tree ; 2, Fruit ; 3, Tree, general aspect (much reduced). 
224. WIDDRINGTONIA. This genus is introduced with doubt, as I am not aware that it has been found in the Province, still as W. Whytei, Rendle, the Milanji Cedar, 
occurs on the Shire highlands adjoining if not within the Province, and W. Mahoni, Mast, occurs in Melsettcr District, Rhodesia, I think it is almost certain to occur 
here also 1 he species form fairly large monmeious trees producing a valuable cedar class of timber, and the general appearance is like a cupressus. Male flowers 
tew, in so htary catkins, terminal on twigs; catkins very small, subtended by 2 scales. Stamens in 4 rows; anthers 2 3 celled. Female inflorescence in cones terminal 
on short ateral twigs; scales usually 4, equal, decussate, spreading when young, ultimately ligneous and inflexed, enclosing the seeds. Ovules about 5 at the base of 
each scale on its inner surface; seeds fewer, about 4 -S per cone, narrowly winged. Branches terete; leaves scale-like, and pressed, small, opposite and decussate, 
sub-opposite or somewhat spiral ; leaves on vigorous main branches more spreading and leafy than those on the slender twigs; the leaves on seedlings and young 
trees linear, spreading, arranged spirally. Cotyledons 2, linear, timber very resinous. In Cape Colony and Natal several species occur. See " Forest Flora of Cape 
Colony," 337, and Plate CXLVII. 1 
FAMILY LVIII.— CYCADACE/E. 
Slow-growing tropical and sub-tropical palm-like trees, usually erect, unbranched, and with the leaves at the top, the stem being clothed with the petiole-bases of decayed 
eaves. icecious. Flowers in cones. Perianth absent, each flower in the male cone being a single scale having numerous 1 -celled, 2-valved, sessile anthers on its lower surface. 
Female cone— scales larger, woody, widened at the apex and having an ovule on each side unprotected except by the peltate shield. Nuts numerous in a cone, large, with a hard 
woody coat. Leaves pinnate, coriaceous, circinate in vernation, the pinnte often spine-pointed or spine-toothed. Cones in the axils of the youngest leaves, consequently crowning 
the stem, the male cone in local kinds 30-45 c.m. long, cylindrical, the scales firmly membranaceous; the female cones about 30 c.m. long, oval or elliptical, taking several yeurs 
to mature, the scales woody and usually more or less tomentose. Ihese trees are ornamental in cultivation, transplant easily, and are in demand for exportation to European 
horticultural establishments. 
225. ENCEPHALARTOS. Characters of the Family as given above. One or several species occur in M’Chopes and elsewhere south of Inhambane. One is used in some 
quantity for ornamental purposes in the square at Quisico, transplanted from the neighbourhood. None were seen north of the Zambesi. Vern. names — 6, Im- 
hanga or Mwanga; 13, Umpanga. 
CLASS II.— MONOCOTYLEDONES. 
Embryo with only 1 cotyledon. Primary root abortive and producing lateral roots which develop. Wood tissues in isolated bundles. Leaves usually having parallel 
venation. Flowers usually 3-merous, or some multiple of 3. Usually herbaceous, bulbous, or soft-wooded plants, but a few are hard and useful timbers differing in habit and 
timber formation from trees belonging to Dicotyledones. 
FAMILY LIX.— SCITAMINEAi. 
Flowers irregular, unisexual. Perianth superior, outer perianth lobes calyx-like inner petaloid. 
226. MUSA. Calyx 3-5 lobed, petal single, perfect stamens 5; anthers 2-celled. Stems unbranched, up to 30 feet in height, formed of closely clasping leaf stalks; the leaves 
foliaceous, 2 to 7 metres in length, 30-100 c.m. wide; the inflorescence terminal in spicate panicles, flowers at first enclosed, several together, in large caducous bracts; 
the lower part of the panicle fertile, upper part staminate. Ovary 3-celled; ovules many in each cell; fruit a banana. About 20 species, from the tropics of Africa 
and Asia. The Banana, M. sapientum, Linn, is culivated throughout the tropics and sub-tropics for its edible fruit, and is cultivated by Europeans and natives 
throughout the Province of Mozambique, but is not indigenous; the fruits of the other African species are not edible; from several species of Musa the valuable 
fibre, Manilla Hemp, is obtained in other countries; the dried leaf of the banana is used here as a wrapper for cigarettes, especially by the natives. 
