148 
FLORA OF ADEN. 
1. Commiphora abyssinica Engl, in D.C. Prodr. Cont. IV, 10. 
Balsamodendron abyssinicum Berg in Bot. Zeit. (1862), p. 16]. 
Balsamodendron Kafal Herb. Schimperi, n. 1359, A. Rich, (ex 
Engler) . 
Balsamea abyssinica Engl, in Bot. Jahrb. I, 41. 
Vai\ simpliciMia Schweinf. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. (1899) Append. 
II, p. 291. 
Arabic name: — Quafal, Chaddash (Schweinf.). 
Description A small shrub ; branches virgate ; branchlets pale, 
spinous, glabrous. Leaves glabrous, scattered, simple, subsessile ; petiole 
very short. 
Flowering branchlets short, about J- — 1£ inches long, mostly 3- 
flowered. Flowers very shortly peduncled ; bracts glanduloso-ciliate. 
Calyx slightly scabrous ; tube inch long. Petals f inch long, ^ inch 
broad. Ovary ovoid, inch long. 
Drupe ovoid, acute, £ inch long, about J inch broad. 
Fruits in December (Schweinf.) . 
Locality: — Not far from the Flagstaff on top of the Shum Shum 
Range (Schweinf.). 
Distribution (of the species) : Abyssinia, Kordofan, Eritrea, S.. 
Arabia. 
The variety [simplicifolia Schweinf.) has, besides, been observed in 
Yemen. 
Note : — Some observations made by Schweinfurth might prove useful 
in the identification of Commiphora abyssinica, Engl. 
It is important to remember that locality, season and age cause a 
good many deviations from the typical form and that in such cases one- 
feels inclined to consider those aberrant forms as distinct and different 
species. 
During the dry season and mostly also during the flowering and 
fruiting time the shrub is entirely leafless. The bark of the stem is 
quite smooth and covered with a shining and bright-leather-yellow 
epidermis which peels off in rather thick layers. In this respect C. 
abyssinica resembles perfectly G. opobalsamum , Engl. ; it is, however, 
easily recognized by the distinct odour of f White Spruce 3 of its young 
branchlets. 
The branches are dark grey, (their bark not shining), and either 
in the shape of long, unarmed and ascending shoots, or shortened, short- 
branched and armed with shorter and longer thorns. The short-stalked 
glabrous, thin, delicate leaves are either single on the long unarmed 
