166 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
OTHER GENERA BELONGING TO CRASSULACE^. 
SEPTAS Lin. 
This is a very small genus, the name of which is derived from the Latin word septem, seven, from the number 
seven prevailing in the parts of fructification. The species are natives of the Cape of Good Hope, and they have 
tuberous roots, red stems, and white flowers. 
GLOBULEA Haw. 
The plants composing this genus are also natives of the Cape of Good Hope, and they are not remarkable for 
their beauty. The flowers are small and whitish, and in some of the species they never open. 
ROCHEA Dec. 
The species of tliis genus are tall fleshy shrubs -nith masses of flowers, which are generally tinged with scarlet, 
but which are rarely found fully open. They are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope. 
CHAPTER XXX. 
nCOIDE^ Juss. 
Essential Character. — Calyx constantly of a definite number of 
sepals, usually five, but varying from four to eight, more or less united 
at the base, either cohering with the ovarium, or almost distinct from 
it, equal or unequal, quincuncial or valvate in aistivation. Petals 
indefinite, coloured, narrow, a little combined at the base, sometimes 
Avanting, but in that case the inside of the calyx is coloured. Stamens 
indefinite, arising from the calyx, distinct ; anthers oblong, incumbent. 
Ovarium distinct, or adnate to the calyx, many-celled, crowned by 
numerous distinct stigmas. Capsule either girded by the fleshy calyx 
or naked, usually many-celled, but often five-celled, opening in a 
stellate manner at the apex. Seeds attached to the inner angle of the 
cells, definite or indefinite. Embryo lying on the outside of a mealy 
albumen, curved. (G. Lon.') 
Description, &c. — The genus Mesembryanthemum is the principal one in this order, as though there are a few 
other genera, the plants contained in them are not very ornamental. 
GENUS I. 
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM Lin. THE FIG-MARIGOLD. 
Lin. Syst. ICOSANDRIA TETRA-POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx of five, rarely of two or eight, sepals. Petals indefinite, linear. Stamens indefinite, inserted in the top of the 
caly.x along with the petals. Capsule adnate to the calyx, from four to many-celled ; cells many-seeded. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This genus consists entirely of succulent plants, nearly all natives of the Cape of Good 
Hope. The flowers are generally very ornamental, and open to the heat of the sun, most of them closing in the 
evening. The seed-vessels when ripe only open in moist weather, as that is most suitable to their germination in 
the sandy plains in which the plants naturally grow. As there are nearly three hundred and fifty species, which 
are too numerous for a work like the present, I shall only describe those species of which I have given figures. 
The name of Mesembryanthemwm is derived from two Greek words, signifying mid-day flower, because many of the 
species flower in the middle of the day, remaining expanded only while exposed to the direct influence of the 
sun’s rays. 
