138 
NOVITATES AFRICANAE 
natis, 1-1 — 2-3 cm. longis, du obits latissime membranaceo-marginatis; 
petala 2 — 3-seriata linearia, acuta vel obtusa, rosea vel pallide rosea 
(almost shell-pink), ad 2 cm. longa, vix ad 0-2 cm. lata; stamina sub- 
diffusa, filamentis interioribus basin versus barbatis, exterioribus 
glabris, 0-6 — 0-7 cm. longis; discus inconspicuus annularis, minute 
crenulatus; ovarium supra leviter convexum, stylis 10, lineari-subulatis, 
longe acuminatis, 1-1 cm. longis, ultra stamina bene exsertis; fructus 
clavatus, 3 cm. longus, 2 cm. diam. 
Cape Province: South-Western Region; Robertson, Dr Melle 
(National Botanic Gardens, No. 
Described from living specimens which have flowered for several 
years at Kirstenbosch during September. 
The long styles and the pale rose or almost shell-pink colour of the 
petals distinguish this from any other species in this section known 
to me. 
M. Muirii, L. Bolus (§ Acinaciformia). Folia fere erecta, adscendentia vel late 
patentia, juniora apice incurva, basi connata, saepius viridia modo 
M. edidis, 5-5 — 7 cm. longa, 0-6 cm. lata, ad 0-7 cm. diam.; flores 
6-5 — 9 cm. diam., pedunculis medio vel supra medium 2-bracteatis, 
saepius 3 — 4 cm. longis; calyx globose turbinatus, ad 2-5 cm. diam., 
segmentis inter se valde inaequalibus carinatis, tribus membranaceo- 
marginatis, 1-3 — 2 cm. longis, fructu ad 2-5 cm. longis; petala circa 
3-seriata linearia obtusa, basin versus angustata, roseo-purpurea, ad 
3 cm. longa, 0-2 cm. lata; stamina erecta vel subdiffusa, filamentis 
basin versus barbatis roseis superne pallidis, ad 1 cm. longis, antheris 
luteis; discus vix visus; ovarium supra concavum, stylis 15, subulatis 
acuminatis, 0-4 cm. longis; fructus 2 — 2-5 cm. longus, apice 1-8 — 2-2 cm. 
diam., basi subrotundus, 2 — 2-5 cm. longus, apice 1-8 — 2-2 cm. diam., 
basi subrotundatus, circa 1-2 cm. diam. 
Cape Province: South-Western Region: Riversdale Div., Zoutpan, 
near Albertinia, fl. Oct., Dr John Muir, 759 (National Botanic Gardens, 
No. J-f-j-). Bo’plaats, fruiting specimens, Dec. id. 2423. 
Described from several living specimens received from Dr Muir who 
pointed out to me that this species w r as entirely distinct from M. edule 
and another which is known as “t’gaukum” in the Riversdale Div. 
The latter has flowered and fruited at Kirstenbosch and appears to be 
a very good species, hitherto undescribed. Careful drawings are being 
made of as many of the forms as are available, and I hope to complete 
a description of the “t’gaukum” at its next flowering period. 
Dr Muir writes that this species ( M . Muirii, mihi) “is called ‘Zuur 
vijgen or ‘sour figs.’ Only eaten when dried. They are collected when 
they have dried on the plant. These dried ones make a very nice jam 
