Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-11-11
The Table Tree OF western Africa.

X
Post Dispatch
The Table Tree OF Western Africa.
About 1,00G miles north from the
Cape Of Good Hope. on the western side
of Africa, these is an extensive district
Of sterile conatry, extending northward
TO the Portuguese settlement of Bengu-
ella. These regions are almost, If not
altogether, ralEIess. Heavy dcws fall at
night, and supply the little moisture re-
quired for tho scanty vegetation, which
consists of lew plants especially fitted
by their organization to endure the con-
tinuous rays d the tropical sun. These
plants, from she thickness of the skin
which covers their leaves, and the struct-
ture of their ssomates, are able to retain
the little moisture they require for. the
necessities of their life.
Among the few plants scattered over
these arid, sandy plains is one which is
properly called Mirabilis, as it is one of
the most wonderful plants anywhere to be
found on the surface of the earth. 1t
was diScovecea in the year 1869 by the
eminent sciehGsfc traveller DIR. Welwitsch,
whose name has been associated with it
by Dr. Hooker, in commemoration of
his successful botanical explorations in
Central Africa,
The Welwitschia is tree which lives
for many Yeas, some specimens being
estimated bv their discovercr as at least
100 years old, and which every year of
it's life increases in size, yet never grows
higher. Rising Just above the ground,
this strange Dlant, looking like rough,
roundish table, regularly enlarges by ad-
ding concentric layers to its circumfer.
cnce.
The fiat upper surface of the trunk is
very hard and dark. resembling in color
and texture the crust of an over-baked
loaf. In shapg it is somewhat COM
pressed disk ssith q more or less deep
groove through the center Of its longest
diameter. dividing it into two lobes.
Each new ridge or concentric layer sup
ports large number of fruits in the
form oil beautifully regular aud bright
scarlet cones, somewhat resembling the
fruits of the Hr tree of our forests, to
which the Welwitschia, though so diff
Terent in aspect, has a close affinity.
Sometimes, III cid plants, the margins OF
the lobcs are much split. The trunk
attalns size of from fourteen to
eighteen feet Ia circumference, but is
never more thana few inches above the
ground and gradually tapers down.
ward, forming large top~root, pene-
trating several feet into the ground.
When young plant springs from the
seed, il senls up two small green
leaves, resembling the seed leaves of the
oak or beech. Instead Of falling of, as
do the leaves OF most other plants, they
are retained. 4 never loses these first
leaves, and never gets any more. The
plant Is really an infant tree. attaining
the age Of 100 years. yet never getting rid
Of its early imperfect condition. The
leaves rise fr0na two deep grooves in the
margin OF the trunk, one springing from
each lobe. They increase Ia size from
year to year with The growth Of the
plant, until they attain i length of six
feet or more. They are quite fat,
leathery. lonus snd frequently split into
numerous st1aps. that lie curling upon
the surface oE the barren SOIL 4 less
Inviting Landscape can scarcely lie ifna1
ined than the aandy desert, sparsely Gov
cred with short, dry grass. and scattered
specimens OF this extraordinary plant,
looking more Ike the remains of some
forest cleared by the settler than col
lection Of LIVING, growing plants. When
covered with Its bright scarlet cones, II
relieves somewhat the m0nOtonY Of the
scene. With 81 IFS pecnliaritics and,
indeed. chiefly because Of them. the Wei
witschia IS sIggulaxls adapted to the
physical conditions under which i lives
4.,,onsna 80 hnnflrna 4nnS III xrirn -.