» ANIC GARD COLONIAL HERBARIUM SS SS 7 f a NO = — NS ie ee NS =F OR PoE = , \ en ; AN SS et me a Wom € Y= SOS SSSI Ras aes sas MEDLEY WOOD, A.L.S., se ee Bioko 4 a : ‘Corresponding Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. week bee re AsO be. eax: a es SI ae > Sa . % * . ’ oe SENSE NSE SENSES NSE NEES NEES NS tee . : oP Lin'as it ‘ ! . ~ "ahs: . c Ww ha SS =X a DURBAN; ; Printiers, 345, West STREET. SSSI Bennett & Davis. v = xD ee _ eae. ’ rte dA (ee ete 4. SEQ aN 1900. — Durban Botanic Society. — — ) ” ” ” Kew Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs Botanic Gardeus, Ottawa Catalogue of Fruits recommended for cultivation in U.S. of America Circulars on various subjects from Botanic Gardens, Ceylon Cultivation of Tea in India, by J. A. Robertson Curing and Fermentation of Cigar Leaf Tobacco, by O. Loew Experimental G@ultivation int. Southern Shan States Experiment Station Records, numbers Indigenous Vegetable Dhenee of New ‘South Wales, by J. H. Maiden... Inventory of Imported Seeds & Plants Journal of Botany, current numbers Life History Studies of Animals, by L. in annett C. Miall bd Millets, by T. A. Willicms _... J. New Spraying Devices, by B. T. Galloway a f New Scotia Crop Report ix Observations of Hucalypti of New South Wales, by H. Deane and Maiden ... Olives, by ET. Broletti & G. E. Pelee Orchid fumigation ... On Soaring Flight, by C. E. Hattaker .. Pharmaceutical Journal Prevention of Leaf Disease in Ceylon, by J.Cameron Prickly Pears in New South Wales, by J. H. Maiden Report, Acclimatisation Society ; Queens- land FROM. ? Sec. for Agriculture Malay Peninsula UW: Sec. HK. Cowley Director . 8S. Government Director Author . 8S. Government Kew .S. Government Author .s. Government Editor Author S. Government 99 , for Agriculture Authors Univ. of California 99 U.S. Government President Author ” Director ‘Report, North-western Provinces of India 10 Agricultural Operations in Agricultural Station, Mauritius xd x4 Brisbane 5 Dept., Zanzibar ... Agri-Horticultural Society of They current numbers Albany Museum, Gr ahamstown Botanic Gardens, oe Grenada i Hong-kong ... Madras 7 Maritzbure ... Missouri Mysore Sahurunpur Singapore Sydney Zurich Cinchona Plantations Gnd Bue. tory, Ceylon Conservator of Forests, Colony 2: Department of Agriculture of Canada ... Department. of Agriculture of Queensland Experimental Farms in Canada Field Columbian Museum 3 Forest Department, Madras, WSO General Medical Council Government Botanist, Town ts Imperial Botanic Garden, Berlin Department Land Records and Agriculture, Burma Secretary for Agriculture, U. Ss: America ... Aik Secretary for Agriculture, Nova Scotia: -. . Seedling Cane Crop in “Trinidad Shines agenniom Institute Tea Culture in Assam Cape ae Royal Menagerie of France ... Selected Papers from Kew Bulletin ‘Studies in the Herbarium, ee Grok. Millspaugh Kew Director 9 99 Secretary Director ’ Secretary Director Author ” Kew Director Kew President P. MacOwan, F.L.S. Directors Kew U.S. Goverment Author URES), Govdenient Kew U.S. Government Kew Author 11 ‘Thirty Poisonous Plants of U. Si of America, by W. K. Chestnut ... U.S. Government Tree Planting i in Cape Colony, by D. EH. Hutchins : ane Author ‘The Shamba, J ournal of Agriculture Zanzibar . Sec. for Agriculture Vanilla Culture, by S.J. Galbraith ... U.S. Government West Indian Bulletin Kew Wild Indigo Seed as a Famine Food, by Professor Church + Year Book of the Agricultural Depart- ment . “50 s0¢ ... U.S. Government PURCHASED. Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, Natal. Gardeners’ Chronicle, current numbers. Indian Gardening, current numbers. Tropical Agriculturist, current numbers. Packets of seeds were received during the year as under :— Saharunmpur . se ee 288 #468 Zomba vm a a4 eter lS Najpur Oeaihe oe Ratha s Max Cornu, Bara 0s a Be MS W. &#. Ledger, London ... JA Apap 4) Herb & Wulle, U. S. America eee R. Beningtield .. Reasoner Br ener Sf Plecida Botanic Gardens, Jamaica R. Jameson, never - Damman & Co., Naples .. fo Botanic Gardens, British Guiana .. Dr. Franceschi, California Royal Gardens, Kew, England Botanic Gardens Mysore. C.B. Lloyd, iRanvin Mr. Van leenhott M. Matthews, Natal Sen Botanic Gita Adelaide, Ardstvalia ree Botanic Gata: Port erwin: Australia ... J. Beningfield, Durban Botanic Gardens, Bangalore, Tees, Sander & Co., St. Alpene Charles ones ae J. D. Ellis : a H. E. Stainbank, Maritzbure Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon C. C. Sprenger, Italy Yo — pet OT 0.2) ho Shoe OM eS OP KH ON OR NO OF ps bd bo He Oo. 12 W. Wood, Zululand Ad . l J. Wilson, Durban ter a. opine W.S. Armistead NY iin 490 Plants were received as under :— Botanic Gardens, Mauritius ne mm TD) Ls 5 Cambridge fs eee I fi. a Port Darwin ... ee Zanzibar en Pe A ho pl Captain Kessler Hh Was Beale H. EB. Stainbank, Maritzburg nee Ieee 6 M. Matthews, Weenen ... Reh a 9 166 % During the year 1898 we received 231 plants and 610° packets of seeds, the results of which are as under :— PLANTS. Dead on arrival ae igs cat al (2! Died afterwards ae es ent LO Planted in Gardens i aR hired Still in pots, te or chids, palms, and bamboos sae We ae 553 Previously in stock os Le wt 24 231 SEEDS. Failed to germinate a seh preciete’ () Germinated, but died afterwante wt tO Distributed sh an a seam es Previously in stock oh ss ... 130 Still im pots) | 2 o bes ee OO Annuals and grasses _... on Ben AU! Only suitable for cold chmates ... pees COLO) 710 We sent away during the year packets of seeds to the following correspondents :—— Botanic Gardens, Sydney we out pte 4 * Melbourne Ho stig he A : Brisbane aS see, pA Pe a Ballarat ae stony " i Adelaide ve oe) a an Port Darwin ... A eer, 13 Botanic Gardens, Wellington ts be (12 i . Hobart Town ... - fet AQ 7 3 Antigua vst -. 42 ve - Sierra Leone... » art VAD i P Bermuda sas sie vA B Ee Bulgaria vee ween AQ 34 is Najpur ad wi bal Mauritius et dterinnyG Messrs. Munder & Auerswald J3. dest 90 541 ‘Plants, bulbs, &c., were sent to the following .— Aegri-Horticultural Society, Calcutta Sone ©) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Sci «if oOe Fr 5 a Glasgow ... bebt ert ss Cambridge “coter Botanic Gardens, Sydney ae deur LZ st i Port Darwin ... ends sn ie Adelaide he aes: r a Melbourne Mee fing) 39) x e Brisbane vee ets < es Najpur lee aw l2 a ‘ Saharunpur_... og a nt Georgetown... w. 24 e p Maritzburg le Banco Acclimatisation Society, Santa Barbara, California ... 8. an ty BZ J.C. Harvey, Mexico ... her aenllZ Reasoner Brothers, Florida at .. 24 Damman & Co., Naples ... oe me 908 Dr. Knobel, Pretoria _... ae Soy sani Captain Kessler é do ie 06 Mrs. Randles, Highlands et san) 18 Plants of Widdringtonia Whytei sent for trial to :— H. W. James, Verulam ... G. C. Mackenzie, Buccleuch G. Leuchars, Greytown ... a ce Curator, Maritzburg Park ie Ace Mrs. Randles, Highlands F. Churchill, Gillits Hon. H. Bale, Hilton Road M. A. Zoccola, Johannesburg Dr. Hyslop, Maritzburg ... Mr. Mirrilees, Tongaat ... ARARAADON|HAS 1742 14 Cuttings from the imported varieties of sweet potatoes have: been sent to six different applicants, and roots of an imported grass to Natal Government Railways, and to Dr. Hyslop, Natal Government Asylum. The following free grants of plants have been made during the year :— Soldiers’ Cemetery, Pinetown ... peg lide 0 Government House, Maritzburg ... Rey fr” 0) Governor’s country residence 642 0 Nazareth House ; Lote) Mounted Police Camp, Ndwedme. Hy MAb Government Asylum, Maritzburg Gs Public Works Department, Durban Nae asi) ts Zululand Sirsa /6 Dur ban Hospital : Lee 3.4 6 Hospital Ship “ Spartan’ y 114 0 ‘* Lasmore Castle” 2 ie Durban Relief Fund ue of ee 6 6 0 Durban Home 0, 15. 20 aya wh Be The following plants were put out in the Gardens :— NAME. FROM. Acacia prominens ... Damman & Co. Agave geminiflora... Propagated. Afzelia cuanzensts .. — Young. Allamanda magnifica Propagated. Bauhinia alba Saharunpur. Berrya ammomilla Kew. Boehmeria nivea Brunfelsia americana Agricultural Dept. Aegri- Horticultural Society of India. sf CHUMTA a Propagated. ze macrophylla Do. bi uniflora Do. sp. J. Beningfield. Buddieia sp. : Caryophyllus aromewieut Cassia floribunda ... » stamensis Centrosema pubescens G. H. Wilkinson. Mauritius. Kew. Damman & Co. Dr. Franceschi. Clusia alba and U. rosea Propagated. Coffea arabica, var. nee Mr. MacMillan. a stenophylla Hi ts Kew. » sp. from East Coast .. R. Beningfield. Cohnia floribunda ... Mauritius. Cratoxylon carneus Kew. Oroton tiglium Kew. Cyrtanthus parviflorus Datura cornigera Dalechampia Roezliana Dipterye odorata Dombeya punctata mollis s spectabilis 7 ih sp. fls. pink Hehium gigantewm 5 NErVOSUNY ... 3 Sumepler — o.. Hranthemum pulchellum Bugenia cotinifolva glomerata malaecensis ry) 99 b>) Huphorbia jacquinaefolia Ficus Cannoimi 55.8; » repens. Habrothamiuus elegans Hibiscus Armanget w, incanus ie splendens - sp. double cream Hydrangea hortensis, var. Dr. TIschaemum augustifoliwm Txora coccinea af, Jacaranda Cheloniae Justicia sp. bias Kalanchoe cassiopega 25 glaucescens Lagerstroemia parviflora Lettsomia elliptica Magnolia fuscata Mimusops bolata ... Ornithcgalum sp. Photinia prunifolia Phyllanthus atropurpureus ne NLVEUS Pistachia vera Pleroma macrantha Plumiera alba ae » grandiflora “4 rubra Rhoea discolor ; Rhus copallina a Rhynchospermum reptans Roupelia grata 15 Hogg .. Mrs. Cooley. Brisbane. St. Petersburg. Kew. Mauritius. Brisbane. Zomba. Do. R. Jameson. Do. Do. Bot. Gar., Mauritius. Do. Do. Bot. Gar., Maritzburg. J. Brickhill. Propagated. Do. Max Leichtlin. Reasone:i Brothers. Major Giles. Propagated. Mrs. Cooley. Kew. Propagated. Damman & Co. Collected. Damman & Co. Do. Propagated. Bangalore. Propagated. Kew. R. W. Adlam. Propagated. Purchased. Do. Damman & Co Kew. Propagated. Saharunpur. Propagated. St. Petersburg. California. Agri-Hort. Society, Calcutta.. Do. do. Maritzburg. 16 Solanum Seaforthianum ... ... RK. Jameson. es Wendlandir bi .. Kew. Swietenia macrophylla oe ... Saharunpur. Streptosolen Jamesoniz a .. B W. Greenacre. Tambourissa quadrifida oe ... Mauritius. Trochetia Blackburnana ... a Do. Terminalia tomentosa i, ... D. Brown. The following plants flowered or fruited for the first time ‘during the year :— NAME. NATIVE COUNTRY. Aerides maculoswm ot ... Bombay. Bauhinia alba ... We ven ey Claas 5 ~©—betersana ad ... Central Africa. Buddleia sp. a a ? Chrysophyllum cainito ... West Indies. Croton tighum ... he ron lavdian Datura cornigera ... Se ... Organ Mountains. Dendrobium aurewm ja sou a baveltey, a Chrysotowum ... ... Moulmein. a5 Dathousevanum eee ebivdia ss Johannis Bek NG Anistralia: sf luteolum e ... Moulmein. Sf moschatum oe, meee, 9. WY laveloas ‘, Paxtoni me wo aches, " tortile-rosewm ... ... Moulmein. undulatum eh ... Australia. Dombeya punctata... ei ... Madagascar. » spectabilis tie ... Central Africa. Lysiloma sabieu ... bat Babe Olloey: Sapota achras ; South America. Sarcocephalus cordatus ee ee Lindsey Solanum Seaforthianum ... ... West Indies. xs Wendlandii 5s ... Costa Rica. Xanthorroea hastilis Paes. ... New South Wales. Amongst the plants noted above are the following :— Afzelia cuanzensis, Welw.—A leguminous tree native of Central Africa, and the Mozambique district, the large black -and red seeds are frequently brought to Natal as curiosities, and one or two pods with seeds are in the Durban Museum, ‘the seeds contain an oil which is used by the natives, and the wood is said to be valuable, we have several times reared plants in the Garden, but they do not seem to make much growth with us. 17 Berrya amonilla, Roxb.—A. valuable timber tree, native of Ceylon, it reaches up to 40 feet in height, and the wood is much esteemed for its ightness and strength, it is used for a variety of purposes, such as cask staves, capstan bars, boat building, &c., and is in much request. Boehmeria nivea, Gaudichaud. “China Grass.’’—This plant grows fairly well in the Gardens, but I fear that it will hardly pay for cultivation in Natal, as it will not in my opinion yield a sufficient number of cuttings in the year, experiments will be made with it during the year, and a record kept of the number of cuttings made and the size and weight of stems. Caryophyllus aromaticus, Linn. “ Cloves.”—A few years ago we had a couple of plants of this species in the Gardens which were looking fairly well, but they had to be removed to make room for the Curator’s residence, and we have not been able to replace them until now, these plants will form a subject for future report. Chrysophyllum cainito, Linn. ‘‘ Star Apple.”’—This tree is a native of the West Indies, where its fruit is known as the “Star Apple,” on account of the seeds being arranged in a star- like manner in the centre of the fruit. Like some others of the Sapotaceee to which order it belongs the leaves are of a golden colour on the under surface, hence the generic name, “ golden leaf.” The fruit is said in the West Indies to attain the size of a large apple, but the few borne by our tree were much smaller than this, probably as the tree becomes older the size of its fruits will increase, as it appears to be quite healthy. There may, perhaps, be different opinions as to the flavour of its fruits, but I think that they will be generally liked. Our tree was planted in 1894. [am informed by a gentleman who has lived in the West Indies that they are there much esteemed, and also that there are several varieties, some being much superior to others, it may therefore be that our plant is not one of the best varieties, but of that we shall be better able to judge later on when the tree is older and more vigorous. Croton tighwm, Linn.—¥From the seeds of this plant the medicinal Croton oil is obtained, we have planted it in the Gardens before, but it has not done well, this time, however, it seems to be likely to succeed. Pistachia vera, Linn.—Three plants of this species were planted out last year but one only survived, and it makes but very slow growth, it will, I think, be necessary to import grafted plants io make the experiment a success, and I shall try to obtain a few female plants if possible. 18 Rhus copallina, Iinn.—This is a dwarf tree the bark of which is used for tanning purposes, and a resin is also obtained from it. Sapota achras, Miller. ‘‘ Sapodilla Plum.”—This tree is a native of South America and the West Indies, a tree of the species has been growing in the Gardens for many years, it flowers abundantly, but has never set a single fruit, it is little more than a shrub, while I understand that in tropical countries it attains the size of a large tree, it is quite possible, therefore, that this plant which certainly belongs to the Order Sapotaceze may not be the true S. achras. Another tree which we re- ceived as Carolinea alba has borne fruit this season and proves to be the true S. achras, and is very different to the one we have had under that name. ‘This tree bore several fruits during the year which were not gathered until somewhat over ripe. It will be a valuable Aeubiien to our list of fruit-bearing trees, and in other countries the fruit is said to be delicious. ihe sap of the tree is said to yield gutta-percha, and the bark to be astringent and febrifugal, the seeds also are aperient and diuretic. Several years ago a species of grass made its appearance in the Gardens, and we were quite unable to discover its origin, but as we had received many packets of unnamed grasses from different correspondents we came to the conclusion that this was one of them whose seeds had lain long in the ground with- out germinating, and had therefore been abandoned, it proved eventually to be a tall and very handsome grass, and when in flower is very ornamental, some of it was given to a horse who ate it with avidity, but I think that it will be found to be of the most use in fixing loose soil such as on railway banks, d&c., as the roots penetrate deeply into the ground and form a dense mass, so that it will be difficult to eradicate when once it has obtained a firm hold of the soil, as a fodder grass it will only be available in the summer, as it dies down in the winter, growing again from the roots in the spring when it will yield a heavy crop. A dried specimen of it was sent to a continental botanist who took it to be a species of Kuchlaena and therefore related to HE. luxurians the “ 'Teosinte”’ which is often extolled as a forage plant, but on specimens being sent to Kew, and further examined here, it proves to be a native grass known as Andropogon halepensis, Brot, var effusus Stapf and it is now figured and described in Natal plants, Vol. 2, Plate 119, where it is said of it. Baron F. v. Mueller says of this grass. ‘ Attains a height of 5 to 6 feet. Not easily repressed in moist ground. A rich perennial grass, often cultivated under the name of “Cuba oerass” and “Johnson grass.” ..... It keeps green in the 19 heat of summer and is also a winter grass in frost-free localities, ‘is not eaten out by pasture animals; it will grow in drift sand of the coast, and will keep growing in the dry season when most other grasses fail, bat improves much on irrigation; the roots resist some frost ; three tons can be cut from an acre in a single season. It yields so large a hay crop that it may be cut half a dozen times in a season should the land be rich. All kinds of stocks have a predilection for this grass. Much over- looked in its importance for fixing loose soil on embankments. It will mat the soil with its deep and spreading roots, hence it. should be kept from cultivated fields.” A quantity of the roots have been sent to the railway de- partment for trial and I believe they have been planted on the South Coast Line, where it should do well in fixing the loose sand on that portion of the line. A smaller quantity was sent to Dr. Hyslop for trial near the Government Asylum, but as _yet I have no report from either. PruninG Cirrus Tress.—I have frequently been asked as to how Citrus trees should be pruned, and have replied that they require little if any pruning as a rule, but I have noticed that some persons have, in my opinion, damaged their trees and spoiled their shape and appearance by taking off the lower branches, for what reason I do not know. Ina late issue of the “ Tropical Agriculturist ” I find the following :— Crraus Tress Require very LIrrLe PRuninG,—The first year should see them take proper shape, and if well cared for they will expand and develop symmetrically without much subsequent pruning. A little pinching back here and there as the tree starts off the first year is ordinarily sufficient. Make the tree’s head low and compactly. Don’t put any ignoramus who pro- fesses to know it all, to butchering your trees as I have seen done recently, where a man went through a healthy, flourish- ing young grove, and left only skeletons behind, setting the trees back more than a year’s growth and fruiting. If you do not know how to do it yourself, or cannot get a man of ex- perience to advise you, you had better not prune at all, con- centrate your energies on thorough cultivation and fertilizing and the tree will do the rest.” ¥ A gentleman who cultivates Citrus trees in Australia called at the Gardens a short time ago and told me that the plan he pursues is to allow a Citrus tree to divide into three branches at from 6 to 12 inches from the ground, thus forming three main stems which he endeavours to keep of about equal strength the tree then assumes a good form, with plenty of air space in the centre, and he is seldom troubled with any disease attack- ing the plants. About every third year he sows the ground 20 between the rows with field peas, which are ploughed in at maturity, applying also manure when necessary. He also told me that he plants none but grafted trees the stocks used being either Lemon or Sweet Orange. Minpew on Vines.—I have sometimes been asked for a: remedy for the mildew which does so much damage to the leaves and fruit of the Grape Vine, and have recommended the: old plan of dusting the leaves with sulphur, but I note in the United States Experiment Station Record, Vol. XI., p. 165, the: following article :— “In 1898, unsuccessful attempts were made to stamp out the mildew from vineries by the use of potassium sulphid and by dusting the vines with sulphur, &., but the crop of that year was a total failure. Early in 1899 the vineries were thoroughly cleaned, new soil replaced in borders and walks, and the canes of the vines were painted with a strong mixture of sulphur and potassium sulphid with but little effect, as the | mildew appeared in several places by the time the vines had reached the flowering stage. Acting upon a suggestion, the: author thoroughly sprayed the vines with water heated to the boiling point, which was carried a distance of some 60 yards. and quickly sprayed over the leaves. The vines were thoroughly soaked on two separate occasions, and special investigations: showed not a trace of living mildew, but brown spots on the leaves were plentiful. These leaves were removed and no trace of the fungus has since been observed. There was no injury observed to leaf or flower, nor were the tender growing tips in-- jured, although adventitious roots on some of the canes were: blackened. Subsequently vines of the White Tokay were sprayed with water as near the boiling point as possible, and a few days later a second application of the same kind was given, the vines coming through uninjured. Im all, four varieties of grapes have been experimented on in this way, and in every case the- vines are said to be growing freely and the berries are un- harmed. Rust on Oats.—A specimen was sent to me of the fungus. which has done so much damage to the forage crops in the upper districts of the Colony, and I found on microscopical examination that it is the same fungus that is known at Home as Trichobasis rubigo-vera, I learn since then that the fungus hitherto known under that name has lately been divided by Erickson & Hennings into two separate species popularly known as the “ Yellow rust” and the “ Brown rust” the latter being the one hitherto known as Trichobasis or Puccinia 21 rubigo-vera. Hxtensive investigations and experiments are mow being made by the Department of Agriculture in the U.S. America on the different ‘‘ rusts,’ but so far I have not seen that any remedial measures have been recommended, the in- vestigations taking the form of enquiry as to the varieties which best resist the attacks of the fungus. At present I should recommend that the land on which the “rust” has ap- peared should have a rest for at least a year, and when planted again the seed’ should be treated with hot water in the usual way. Araucarias.—I am sorry to have to say that the two speci- mens of Araucaria excelsa which were planted in 1867, and which were probably the oldest trees of this species in the Colony, are both dead or nearly so, they have not been attacked ‘by white ants, but have gradually died from the top downwards. Tn a conversation I had with a gentleman from near Melbourne a short time ago, he told me that many trees of this species which had been planted there had died off in the same way, and I note also that two trees of A. braziliana in the Botanic Gardens, Maritzburg, are also dead, of this species we have but one in the Gardens, and it has never looked really well since 1 have known it, the specimens of A. Cunninghami in the Gardens do not appear healthy, and are, I fear, not suited to the soil and climate, but A. Cookiui, and A. Bidwilli, of both - of which species we have several specimens show so far no signs of decay, though one speeimen of each of these species was planted at the same time and close to those of A. excelsa that are now dying. It will be interesting to know how these species succeed in other parts of the Colony, especially as all of them are long lived trees in their native state, and yield good timber. The only specimen of A. Rulei that we have was planted in 1868 and appears to be of slow growth, but it is fairly healthy, and has borne cones more than once, but they have not yet proved to be fertile. Xanthiwm strumariwm, Linn.—In May last specimens of two plants supposed to be poisonous to cattle were sent to me by the Agricultural Department, which I identified as Xanthium strumarium, Linn and Phytolacca octandra, Linn, and in my monthly report I said as follows :—‘‘ In the year 1882, I heard from Australia that this plant was supposed to be poisonous to cattle, and some time afterwards I found it growing plentifully near Durban. In November of that year I furnished Govern- ment with the information that I had about it, and pointed out that it was evidently spreading in the Colony. Rehmanni, 5 ‘s Woodit, i Pelargonium Bowker, Harv. Gerantaceae Pentas Wylei, N. EK. Brown Rubiaceae Pogonarthria falcata, Rendle Gramineae Salvia Woodii, Gurke Labiatae Scilla laxiflora, Baker Tiliaceae » megaphylla, Baker = Setarva nigrirostris, Dur & Schinz Gramineae Stachys Kuntzei, Gurke Labiatae Syncolostemon lanceolatus, Gurke * macr ophyllus, uy Scilla palustris, Wood & Evans Tiliaceae Tephrosia plicata, Oliver Legumanosae Toxanthera natalensis, Hk. f. Oucurbitaceae Tephrosia pallens, Pers. Leguininosae Triphlebsa alopecuroides, Stapf. Gramineae Urelytrum squarrosum, Hack. 9) The following Fungi and Mosses must be added to the list published in my Report for last year :— Agaricus campestris, Linn. Bryum argenteum, Linn. Calyptothecium africanum ? Catherinea androgyna, C.M. Fumaria calvescens, Schw. Glyphomitrium crispatulum P Hedwigia ciliata ? Holomitrium vaginatum ? FUNGI. Agaricus umkowaant,Cke.& Mass. MOSSES. Hypnum pseudo-plumosum, ? Leucodon sericeus ? Philonotis afro-acuminata, C.M. Rhapidosteguum julaceum, Rehm. n sphaerotheca, C.M. Schlotheemia Wood, Brot. Trematodon natalensis, Brot. The whole of the mosses are now securely glued to the Herbarium sheets with the tickets firmly attached, so that there is no further fear of confusion by the misplacing of the specimens, and I may say that the Colonial Herbarium now 7 contains 810 specimens of mosses, some of which, as enumer- ated in the list published in my last year’s report, are South African, the remainder from different parts of the world. The fungi should also be similarly mounted, but at present time cannot be spared for the purpose. I have frequently been asked whether amongst our numer- ous species of fungi, z.e. “ toadstools ” there are not some species in addition to the common “mushroom” (Agaricus campestris, Linn) and the kaffir mushroom (Agaricus wmkowaani, Cke. & Mass), which are edible, but since I took charge of the Gardens I have had no time to spare for the study of this class of plants; all the specimens now in the Colonial Herbarium of Natal Hymenomycetes were collected before that time. The following extract may therefore be of use to some who wish to experiment in this direction. RULES FOR THE FUNGUS EATER. Dr. W. G. Farlow, in a recent paper, ‘“‘ Some edible and poisonous fungi,” in the Year Book of the United States De- partment of Agriculture, 1897, after discussing at some length the leading edible and poisonous toadstools draws up a sum- mary from which the following rules are taken :— 1. Avoid fungi when in the button or unexpanded state ; also those in which the flesh has begun to decay, even if only slightly. 2. Avoid all fungi which have stalks with a swollen base surrounded by a sac-like or scaly envelope, especially if the gills are white. 3. Avoid fungi having milky juice, unless the juice is reddish. 4. Avoid fungi in which the cap or pileus is thin in pro- portion to the gills, and in which the gills are nearly all of equal length, especially if the pileus is bright coloured. 5. Avoid all tube bearing fungi in which the fiesh changes colour when cut or broken, or where the mouths of the tubes are reddish, and in case of other tube bearing fungi, experi- ment with caution. 6. Fungi which have a sort of spider-web or flocculent ring round the upper part of the stalk should, in general be avoided. Grown persons are more apt to be poisoned by the toadstools than by other toxic plants, and it is here repeated that only the kinds that are harmless and well known should be gathered. The poisonous species are too variable in characteristics to permit of taking any chances with them. It is better to limit one’s list of edible kinds to a few quickly recognised species than to extend the number at the risk of one’s life, 8 Finally, should a case of poisoning occur let the skilled physician be called in at once, as the delay of an hour may result in death. The third decade of ‘‘ New Natal Plants’’ described by Mr. M. S. Evans and myself was published in the ‘“ Journal of Botany ” for June last, and for the use of colonial readers who do not seé that publication I repeat the descriptions here. New Natat Pruants. Decape 3. Scilla palustris, Wood & Evans, n. s.p. Bulb ovoid, narrowing above, #-1$ inch diameter. Leaves 4-6, lanceolate, 6-12 inches long, 3-? inch broad. Peduncles 4-6 inches long. Racemes oblong, 13-2 inches long, laxly many flowered, pedicels slender, lower ones 5-6 lines long. Bracts minute, deltoid. Perianth segments erect, 1}-2 lines long, ovary stipitate. Seeds large. Hasitat: In swamp near Newcastle, 3,900 feet alt. Decem- ber, J. Medley Wood, No. 6501. Differs from S. polyantha, Baker, by its shorter and narrower leaves, which are usually more than 4, by its shorter and denser raceme, and erect not cernuous pedicels. Albuca affinis, Wood & Evans, n. sp. Bulb ovoid, 3-1; inch diameter, tunics breaking up into numerous fibres at apex. Leaves 4-10, narrow-linear, deeply channelled on face, 3-6 inches long, glabrous, setose, having sometimes 2 peduncles to each bulb, 2-12 inches long. Raceme lax, corymbose, 13-3 inches long, pedicels erect, recurved, lower ones reaching to 23 inches long. Bracts broadly lanceo- late, with a long acuminate point, usually clasping the pedicel at the base, scarious, many veined in central portion, brownish with a broad white membranous margin for half the length from base, lower ones, {-1 inch long. Flowers erect, perianth 5-9 lines long, white with broad green central band. Stamens all fertile, the three outer ones smaller and with less pollen. Style prismatic, stigma conical. Hasitat: On grassy hills, Van Reenen’s Pass, Drakensberg Mountains, 5-6,000 feet alt, November; J. Medley Wood, No. 6503. This plant seems to be nearest to A. pachychlamys, Baker, a plant we have not seen ; but the raceme is much shorter, bracts a different shape, and stripe on the perianth is green, not brown. The three outer anthers are very much smaller than the inner ones, and sometimes have no pollen, never much. We notice that in the Flora’ Capensis the stripe on the perianth segments of. A. Nelson, N.K.B.,1s said to be greenish or reddish 9 brown, and that of A. crinzfolia, Baker, to be reddish brown ; both of these plants have flowered in the Botanic Garden at Durban for several years past, and the band in both is certainly green, only becoming brown in the dried state. Fadogia humilis, Wood & Evans, n. sp. A low undershrub not more than 6 inches high. Stems many from a thick woody root, branching. Leaves crowded in upper portion of stems and branches, elliptic-oblong, oblong, or oblanceolate, obtuse or subacute at apex, narrowing to a short petiole, entire, veins conspicuous on both sides, lamina glabrous, with a few distinct hairs on midvein beneath, ciliate, 3 inches long, 3-1 inch wide; stipules cuspidate from a broad amplexi- caul base, including numerous white bristles. Flowers fascicled in axils of the leaves; peduncles $-~ inch long. Calyx tur- binate, 5-lobed, 2 lines long, lobes acuminate, equalling the tube. Corolla 5-lobed, tube cylindrical, shorter than lobes, with white hairs in throat, lobes narrow-oblong, twice longer . than tube, with white hairs at base. Anthers oblong, acute, sessile a little below sinuses of corolla, exserted. Stigma capitate, intruse at base, bifid at apex, exserted. Ovary 2- celled, cells l-ovuled, ovules pendulous. Flowers yellow. Drupe globose, crowned with remains of the calyx lobes, fleshy, green, { inch diameter. Hapitat: Near Van Reenen’s Pass, Drakensberg Mountains, 5-6,000 feet alt; J. Medley Wood, Nos. 4528, 6248. A low growing plant with thick, spreading woody rvots, and numerous short stems and branches which are clothed at nodes with remains of stipules and the bristles with which they are furnished. In appearance the plant is very like Vanguerta pygmaea, Schltr, and is about the same in size and habit of growth. Differs from F. Zeyheri in size of leaves, shape of stipules, and mode of inflorescence. Our plant is found amongst grass fully exposed to the sun, while #. Zeyheri is said to be found in stony places in woods. Aster uliginosus, Wood & Kvans, n. sp. Stems often caespitose, herbacaous from a perennial root’ ascending, covered in the lower portion with flaccid leaves’ terete, with a few pilose hairs, 6-8 inches long, 1-headed. Leaves alternate, crowded at lower part of stem, linear, entire, margins reflexed, midvein prominent beneath, margins ciliate with long white hairs; 3-1 inch long. Heads radiate, rays purple, disk yellow, #-3 inch diameter. Involucral scales in 3-4 rows, free to base, lanceolate, the outer ones shorter, with numerous white hairs springing from a swollen brown base, ray florets,, 30-40, pistillate, ligulate; disk florets numerous, 10 0-toothed, fertile, all with a few minute hairs in tube. Pappus bristles many, serrate, l-seriate. Achenes clothed with a few minute bristles. Hasitat: In damp places, sources of Tugela River, summit of Mont-aux-sources, March, 1898; M. S. Evans, No. 758. We have no Natal species of Aster at all lke this plant, nor does the Colonial Herbarium contain any species with which it might be confused. Felicia pinnatifida, Wood & Evans, n. sp. Plant usually 2-3 inches high, sometimes reaching to 5-6 inches, hirsute. Stem very short, branching from base, branches ascending, terete, purple. Leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, exstipulate, 3-4 pinnatifid, lobes linear, oblong, vary- ing from { to 1 inch long, petiole dilated at base, semiamplexi- caul, 2-12 lines long. Heads solitary, many flowered, radiate, rays purple, disk yellow; 3-~ inch diameter. Involucral scales in 2—+ rows, linear-lanceolate, with membranous margins, outer very short and narrow, subspinous on the back, dark purple. Ray florets ligulate, obtuse, disk tubular, 5-toothed. Pappus bristles many, serrate, uniseriate. Achenes compressed, pubescent. Hasrrat: Sources of Tugela River, summit of Mount-aux- Sources, 11,000 feet alt; M. S. Evans, No. 739. Differs from all the South African species of Felicia known to us by its deeply pinnatifid leaves. Always found in wet gravelly places at or near heads of streamlets. Berkheya maritima, Wood & Evans, n. sp. Herbaceous, erect, branching in upper portion, 3-4 feet high. Stem and branches striate, sparsely arachnoid, green. Leaves alternate, sessile, decurrent in a short stem wing, which is spinoso-ciliate, lamina oblong, irregularly sinuate-lobed, the lobes tipped with a 1-2 _ lines long spine, the rounded interspaces ciliate with smaller spines which vary in length from } to 1 line long; finely arachnoid, and with jointed glandular hairs above, densely albo-tomentose beneath, veins and veinlets conspicuous beneath, less so above, 4-8 inches long, 1;-3 inches wide, smaller up- wards. Inflorescence corymbose, heads few, radiate, on long pedicels, having depauperated leaves at the nodes, the upper- most of which is less than 1 inch long, and lanceolate. Invo- lucral scales squarrose, in 4 rows, concrete at base, armed with a terminal spine, 1} lines long, and 1-4 large, and many smaller marginal ones on each side; lanceolate, 4-6 lines long including the spine; densely albo-tomentose beneath, arachnoid above. Ray florets 30 to 40, strap shaped, elongate, 3-veined, 11 4..toothed at apex, * inch long, neuter; disk }—2 inch diameter, florets tubular, 5-toothed, 4-5 lines long, teeth linear-lanceolate, equalling tube. Receptacle convex. Pappus scales broad, lacerate at apex. Achenes turbinate, angular, glabrous and shining. Hasitat: Near Durban, J. Medley Wood, No. 7602. This appears to come near to Stobaea scolymoides, D.C , a plant of which we have not seen specimens. We have only met with it near the coast. Oncinotis inandensis, Wood & Evans. Stems climbing, branching, terete with dark coloured bark young ones finely pubescent, older glabrous, branches opposite’ swollen at base, and generally connected by a hard woody ring” naked and glabrous below, leafy above. Leaves opposite’ petiolate, exstipulate, but joined by an interpetiolar ring broadly oblanceolate, obliquely acuminate at apex, narrowing to base, veins and veinlets prominent beneath, plainly visible above, margins subentire; 23-4 inches long, {-1; inches wide, glabrous ; petiole 2-3 lines long, curved, dark green and swollen at base. Racemes axillary, few flowered, sometimes branching, much shorter than the leaves. Bracts very small, rusty-pubescent, deciduous, springing from a ring or channel at base of calyx. Calyx 5-fid almost to base, tube turbinate, lobes deltoid, obtuse, erect, finely rusty-pubescent, 1-1; lines long. Disk 5-lobed. Corolla salver-shaped, 5-lobed, lobes linear-lanceolate, reflexed, a little longer than tube, twisted to the left in aestivation; with 5 deltoid acuminate scales in throat, alternate with lobes, and one-sixth of their length, exserted; tube finely pubescent on outer portion, internally with white pilose hairs. Stamens 5, at base of corolla tube, filaments very short, expanded, and pilose with white hairs at base. Anthers linear-sagittate, acuminate at apex, 3-celled, introrse, conniving and adhering to the stigma near its centre. Style short, stigma thickened, elongate, divided at apex into two short, acute lobes. Carpels 2, ovules numerous. Follicles 2, divergent or parallel, cylindrical, acute, 6-8 inches long, glabrous, seeds linear-oblong, minutely warted, brown, comose at apex with numerous white hairs, which are 14 times longer than the seed. HasitatT: In woods, Inanda, 1,800 feet alt, September ; J. Medley Wood, No. 1009, and with follicles, October, J. Medley Wood, No. 6159. Hitherto found only in the locality indicated, where it climbs to the tops of the highest trees, and there bears its leaves and flowers. 12 Chlorophytum Haygarthu, Wood & Evans, n. sp. Root fibres cylindrical, fleshy, 3-4 inches long. Radical leaves 4-8, broadly linear, very firm in texture, old ones break- ing up into numerous fibres at base ; 8-12 inches long, 4—7 lines wide, narrowing gradually to both ends, finely ciliate, other- wise glabrous; with 30 to 40 close prominent ribs. Stem leaves much smaller, gradually decreasing in size upwards sheathing at base. Peduncle stout, terete, simple, 4-6 inches long to base of inflorescence, pubescent in upper portion, glabrous below. Raceme 6-9 inches long, many flowered. Bracts 2 to each flower, outer broad based, long acuminate, scarious, 10-13 lines long, 4—5 lines broad ; inner much shorter, lacerate at apex. Pedicels erecto-patent, l-line long, solitary. Perianth white with green stripe, 7 lines long, oblong, segments narrowing to apex, keels 3-ribbed. Stamens 6, a little shorter than the perianth. Capsule ovoid, triquetrous with obtuse angles. Seeds numerous. Hasitat: Zululand; near ’Nkandhla Mountains, 4-5,000 feet alt, Legit, W. J. Haygarth (J. Medley Wood, No. 7448). Amongst South African species this comes nearest to C. vaginatum, Baker, is more robust, but not so tall, the racemes are longer, the bracts and perianth much larger, leaves are distinctly ribbed and firmer in texture, and the flowers different in colour. Alepidea natalensis, Wood & Kvans, n. sp. Herbaceous. Stem erect, striate, 12-15 inches high. Radi- cal leaves entire, petiolate, elliptic-oblong, mucronate, gradually tapering to a winged and flattened petiole, edge ciliate with bristles which reach up to 3-lines long, and which are con- tinued to base of petiole ; 3 inches long, including petiole which varies from half as long to fully as long as lamina. Cauline leaves narrow oblong, acuminate, amplexicaul, ciliate, becoming rapidly smaller upwards, and with more numerous and longer bristles at base. Umbels forming a loose panicle, lower branches of panicles 3-4 inches long, upper pedicels 1 inch or less long. Involucre 6-7 lines diameter, the leaflets obovoid, mucronate, the alternate smaller, all 3-5 veined. Flowers pink. Fruit not seen. Hasitat: Karkloof, range 4-5,000 feet alt. February, 1894. Legit, J. Wylie, (Wood, No. 6243). This plant appears to come nearest to A. longifolia, H.M., but differs in the following particulars :—Leaves are petiolate not sessile, cilia of radical leaves are much more numerous, and generally shorter ; segments of involucre are broader. obovate and mucronate, not lanceolate, and flowers are pink, not white. 13 In the Flora Capensis, A. longifolia, K.M., is said to be a synonym of A. Amatymbica H. & Z., but specimens in the Natal Government Herbarinm, which have been certified at Kew, show that the two species are quite distinct. Mr. A. Pardy, of the Agricultural Department, has been at work in the Herbarium investigating into the cause of the mealie blight. Hvery assistance possible was given to him, and the microscope and books in the library were placed un- reservedly at his,disposal. In conclusion, | wish to call attention to the fact that the whole of the property belonging to the Herbarinm Depart- ment, including the microscope presented by our late Governor, Sir Henry Bulwer, and the library, which is rapidly becoming of considerable value, are housed in a wood and iron building, and therefore in danger of fire. The building is only fit for a working room, and is already so well filled with cabinets, book- cases, boxes and parcels of plants, that there is scarcely suffi- cient room for the work to be carried on; and it is now, I think, quite time that a brick building should be provided. with a room in which the rougher work could be done, and [ hope that as soon as circumstances admit that this matter will receive the attention of the Government. J. MEDLEY WOOD. era TP LE TOE Va GP og” FX G4 I hI MT CLL” Od ALIS PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. RECEIVED FROM American Grasses, by FF. Lamson Scribner , U.S. Government Beitrage zur Kentnis Africanishe Flora, by Professor Schinz : Author Biological Relations between Plants andl Ants, by Dr. Hein . U.S. Government Botanical Opportunity, by W. Trelease Author Bulletin Kolonial Museum, Haarlem (4 parts) Director Decades Plantarum ‘fase. 1 and 2), by M. Gandoger ... Author Hssay on Classification of Roses, by M. Gandoger a Factors of Organic ‘Evolution, ae ibe 130. Bailey oe . U.S. Government 14, Flora of Tropical Africa, vol. 5, part 1 a ,, Capensis, vol. vii., part 3 » Of Europe, by M. Gandoger ~ », yonaise, by M. Gandoger Fungi Natalensis, by P. Sydow Hedwigia (South African Fungi), by P. Hennings ; _ Material for Flora of Congo, by E. ; Wildemann and Th. Durand x Memoirs of Leopold Krug, by I. Urban Monograph of Zingiberaceae, by K. Schumann ae Mycological Notes, by C. G. Lloyd Nuttige Indische Planten, parts 1 to 4 On some African Labiatae, by J. H. Burkill and C. Hought ... Panicum decompositum, var. of, by a H. Maiden Potato Diseases and their Tr eatment, by B. T. Galloway Prodrome de la Flore Algolgiqne, by Dr. Wildeman Report of the Medical Council Rhodesian Polypetaleae, by EH. G. Baker Rosa Novae, by M. Gandoger... Some Exotic Grasses of New South Wales, by J. H. Maiden .. Some Questions of Nomenclature, by Theo. Gull Stapfia, a new genus of erasses, by J. Burtt Davy _... Sundry Pamphlets with Descriptions of New Species, by M. Gurke The Law which underlies Protective Coloration, by A. H. Thayer Transactions of Royal Botanic Society of Edinburgh, vol. xxi., parts 2 & 3 Weeds of New South Wales, by, Jame Maiden PURCHASED. Plantae Capensis, by Bergius. \ Hrythaea, current numbers. Kew — Auttter ” Kolonial Museum, Haarlem. Authors U.S. Government Author President Author U.S. Government Author ; U.S. Government I. H. Balfour Author