166 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
OTHER GENERA BELONGING TO CRASSULACEA. 
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 this genus are tall fleshy shrubs with 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. 
FICOIDE Juss. 
Essenviat Cuaracter.—Calyx constantly of a definite number of | Ovarium distinct, or adnate to the calyx, many-celled, crowned by 
sepals, usually five, but varying from four to eight, more or less united | numerous distinct stigmas. Capsule either girded by the fleshy calyx 
at the base, either cohering with the ovarium, or almost distinct from | or naked, usually many-celled, but often five-celled, opening in a 
it, equal or unequal, quincuncial or valvate in estivation. Petals | stellate manner at the apex. Seeds attached to the inner angle of the 
indefinite, coloured, narrow, a little combined at the base, sometimes | cells, definite or indefinite. Embryo lying on the outside of a mealy 
wanting, but in that case the inside of the calyx is coloured. Stamens | albumen, curved. (G. Don.) 
indefinite, arising from the calyx, distinct ; anthers oblong, incumbent. 
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 Zin. THE FIG-MARIGOLD. 
Lin. Syst. ICOSANDRIA TETRA-POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Cuaracter.—Calyx of five, rarely of two or eight, sepals. Petals indefinite, linear. Stamens indefinite, inserted in the top of the 
calyx 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 Mesembryanthemum 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. 

Se 
