OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 303
is a great annoyance to man and beast from the prickly calyx (invoUicrum) ;" and by ^lajor Denliam that from Aghedem to Woodie " it covered the surface of the country, and annoyed the travellers to misery /' he ob- serves also that the seed is called Kashcia, and is eaten,
Panicum turgidum {Forsk. Arab., p. IS; Delile, \.m Flore cVFfjijpte, J). 19, iah. 19,/. 2) is also one of the most common grasses from Tri[)oli to Bornou.
Of AcoTYLEDONES, the ouly plant in the collection is Acrostichum velleum, found on the Tarhona mountains. Mr. Ritchie's herbarium contains, also, a single plant of the same family, namely Grammitls CeteracJi.
The foregoing observations have extended much beyond the limits which the number and importance of the plants they relate to may seem to require. I still regret, how- ever, that I cannot add a few remarks on such species as, although not in the herbarium, were observed, either indi- genous or cultivated, in the countries visited by the mission, and for information respecting which I am indebted to Major Dcnhani and Captain Clap})crton. But it being determined no longer to delay the publication of the very interesting Narrative to which the observations already made will form an Appendix, I am unable at present to enter on this part of my subject.
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