_Thunbergia natalensis_ was described and figured in 1858 from plants cultivated by Messrs. Veitch of Chelsea, from seed received from South Africa. A year later Harvey gave a picture of the species in his _Thesaurus Capensis_ (Plate 38). The _Flora Capensis_ does not mention the peculiar stalked glandular hairs found on the funnel-shaped part of the style, though Hooker accurately figured these, neither does Harvey show them in his figure nor mention them in his description, although he was acquainted with the drawing in the _Botanical Magazine_. The plant is a small shrub bearing large blue flowers with a bright yellow throat, and is confined to the eastern parts of the Cape Province, Natal, and the spurs of the Drakensbergen in the Transvaal. Notwithstanding its showy nature, it escaped the notice of the old collectors in Natal and the Transkei. The species is worth the attention of horticulturists, and should find greater favour among growers who cultivate our native plants. DESCRIPTION:--A shrub 20 to 50 cm. high. _Branches_ glabrous or thinly hairy. _Leaves_ 4 to 9 cm. long, 4 to 7 cm. broad, decussate, oblong or elliptic, acute, cordate or sub-hastate at the base, subentire or sinuate-toothed, slightly scabrous on both surfaces, with the veins prominent beneath; petiole 3 to 6 mm. long. _Inflorescence_ axillary 1-to 3-flowered; bracteoles 2, 1 to 2·5 cm. long, 1 to 1·3 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, prominently 3-veined; peduncle 2 to 4 cm. long, glabrous. _Calyx-tube_ 2 mm. long; lobes ovate. _Corolla_ salver-shaped; tube 2 to 3·5 cm. long, curved, much inflated from near the base, sparsely pubescent; lobes 1 to 1·3 cm. long, ovate. _Stamens_ inserted on the corolla-tube; filaments filiform, thickened towards the base; anther-cells bearded, one cell in each of the two larger anthers spurred at the base. _Style_ funnel-shaped above, and produced in short triangular lobes, with stalked glandular-hairs on the funnel-shaped part and bearded on the lower surface of the lobes. _Capsule_ 3 cm. long, densely and minutely hairy or glabrous. * * * * * PLATE 147.--Fig. 1, showing ovary situated on the disc; Fig. 2, stamen; Fig. 3, portion of style, showing funnel-shaped upper portion covered with stalked glandular hairs; Fig. 4, fruit. F.P.S.A., 1924. [Illustration: _148._] PLATE 148. THUNBERGIA ALATA. _Natal._ * * * * * ACANTHACEAE. Tribe THUNBERGIEAE. THUNBERGIA, _Linn. fil._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1072. * * * * * =Thunbergia alata=, _Boj. ex Sims in Bot. Mag._ t. 2591; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 10. * * * * *