The lactescent plants belong chiefly to the three families of the euphorbiaceae, the urticeae, and the apocineae.

The euphorbiaceae assume the form of colossal trees, constituting a considerable part of its strange and luxuriant forest growth.

The similarity of certain xerophilous Euphorbiaceae to Cactaceae is a ready illustration of this phenomenon.

Ricinus Borboniensis (Euphorbiaceae).-Seedswere purchased under the above name-probablya variety of the common castor-oil plant.

As a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, the sap is mildly irritating, but that is the extent of it.

The commonest bush is one of the Euphorbiaceae: an acacia and a great odd-looking cactus are the only trees which afford any shade.