229 
The Flora of the Cape Peninsula. 
which, though not so numerous as in European Countries, come up 
during the wet winter season between the perennial shrubs. It is 
true Scott-Elliot 1 has doubted the existence of any really 
indigenous annual in the Flora of the South West Region and 
Schimper- has accepted this view, but Dr. Bolus' 1 has been able 
to compile a list of nearly 200 species of undoubted annuals for the 
Cape peninsula alone. Just as in the case of the tuberous and 
Fig. 53. 
Fig. 53.—Enlarged view of one of the groups of assimilating cells 
(as ) with which the deeply sunk stomata ( st .) communicate. On 
either side of the assimilating tissue are groups of sclerenchyma 
(scl.) containing the vascular bundles (vb.) and supporting two 
small vascular branches (vb'.) which are connected with the 
assimilating tissue. 
bulbous plants so in the case of the annuals the vegetative organs 
show no special climatic adaptation, as the rainfall is plentiful during 
their period of development, and their only requirement is to 
mature their seeds before the dry season stops their growth. They 
are therefore generally small in stature but bear often comparatively 
large and brightly coloured flowers, which is necessary owing to the 
severe competition for the visits of insects, which must exist 
between the small annuals and the numerous flowering shrubs 
between which they grow. Various species of Nemesia (Scrophu- 
lariaceae) were particularly noticeable on the excursions we were 
privileged to make under the guidance of Professor Pearson and of 
Dr. Marloth. Other annuals belonging to the Cruciferae 
Compositae and Lobeliaceae were also to be found. 
1 Scott-Elliott, G. F. Notes on the Regional distribution of the 
Cape Flora (Trans, of the Bot. Soc. of Edinb. Vol. 18, 1891, 
p. 243). 
2 Schimper, A. W. F. Plant Geography on a Physiological Basis. 
8 Bolus, H. Science in South Africa, 1904. 
