NOVITATES AFRICANAE 
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medio tamen profunde 5-lobum, lobis cum aetate valde compressis 
elevatisque, stigmatibus 5 linearibus, longissime setaceoque acuminatis, 
interiore conspicue ramentaceis, 7 mm. longis; capsula supra, propter 
margines erectos valvarum, profunde 5-loba, aqua expansa 1-6 cm. diam., 
valvarum marginibus reflexis, 3 mm. latis, exceptis, valvis angustissime 
membranaceo-alatis, carinis basi contiguis, superne divergentibus, loculi 
membrana dimidiumtegente, seminibus parieti exteriore positis, obovato- 
orbicularibus, pallide brunneis, levibus, vix 1 mm. longis. 
Cape Province: South-Western Region; Swellendam Div., Uitvlugt, 
alt. 1800 ft., fl. Sept.-Oct., Dr J . Muir , 3927. 
Described from a living specimen which flowered in Dr Muir’s garden, 
Riversdale. Dr Muir states that this species is “Widely spread in the 
Klein Karoo; has same scent as M. noctiflorum, L., but in a greater degree; 
opens after sunset when the light has almost gone and is at its best when 
it is quite dark.” Dr Muir also sends the following observations: 
“Observed in nights 13-14 and 14-15 Oct. 1926. 
6- 35 p.m. : fls. began to open slightly. 
7 p.m. : \ open, still some glow in the sky but sun below horizon some 
time. 
7- 20 p.m. : nearly expanded. 
8- 30 p.m. : fully expanded. 
11 p.m. -12 midnight: fully expanded; a wet mist falling but makes no 
difference to fls. 
2.30 a.m. : closed. Not observed since 12 midnight.” 
The following appear to belong to this species: Pillans, 2041, from 
Matjesfontein; Pillans, 940, between Ladismith and Laingsburg. 
Mesembrianthemum Guthrieae, L. Bolus. Lignosum, 12 cm. altum, intricate 
rigideque ramosum, ramis senioribus flexuosis, ad 8 mm. diam., ramulis 
vestigiis induratis foliorum pedunculorumque onustis, superne 4 — 6- 
foliatis, axillis gemmiferis; folia adscendentia vel rarius fere patentia, 
saepius subfalcata, carina inconspicua, lateraliter visa superne sensim 
ampliata, apicem versus subcymbiformia, saepe abrupte acuta, supra 
plana vel levissime convexa, lateribus convexis, minutissime lepidota, 
aliter levia, glauco-viridia, ad 2-2 cm. longa, 5 — 6 mm. lata, 9 mm. diam., 
basi connata, vagina vix 2 mm. longa; flores 3-nati vel saepe abortione 
solitarii, meridie expansi, 2 cm. diam., pedunculis 4 — 8 mm. longis, basi 
bracteatis, bracteis parvis; receptaculum turbinatum; sepala 5 — 6, inter 
se subaequilonga lanceolata vel lanceolato-ovata acuta, 6 mm. longa, 
3 membranaceo-marginata; petala densa, ca. 2-seriata, linearia, acuta 
vel obtusa, inferne vix angustata, laete rubro-rosea, ad 9 mm. longa, 
1-5 mm. lata; stamina erecta, laxe disposita sed tamen permulta, 6 mm. 
diam., filamentis basi barbatis pallidis, ad 3-5 cm. longis, antheris pollineque 
7 
B. H. 
