Flora- of the Leribe Plateau find Enrir<ntx. 11 



exaggeration to affirm that comparatively the average Zulu can boast 

 of a larger share of pure scientific knowledge than the average 

 European." This statement applies with equal force to the natives 

 of Basutoland. 



As the reader will observe in the following list of plants, all the 

 species collected in Basutoland by Madame Dieterlen and the author 

 have Sesuto names. In the majority of cases each species has a name 

 of its own by which it is distinguished from closely allied species or 

 from plants with a similar appearance, but, as for example in the 

 Juncaceae, Cyperaceae and Orchidaceae, there is usually but one 

 "generic" name which includes all the species of the particular 

 orders. The natives like the pre-Linnean botanists, in many cases 

 express the name in a short sentence, using as a basis either the 

 particular habit of the plant when it presents any striking feature, 

 such as the development of thorns, excessive hairiness, etc., or its use 

 when it possesses any medicinal or economic value. It is difficult, to 

 translate into English many of the Sesuto names, and in all cases a 

 literal ti'anslation is given. Where "meaning unknown" appears 

 after a Sesuto name it indicates that the natives can give no reason 

 for the plant being so called, not that they do not know it. 



All the particulars as to the uses the plants are put to have been 

 given me by Madame Dieterlen, who has had a unique opportunity, 

 during her nineteen years' residence at Leribe, of obtaining such 

 information. The reader will notice that no mention is made of the 

 uses of many of the plants, and this means that the natives from 

 whom Madame Dieterlen obtained her information either did not 

 know of any use the particular plant was put to, or would not tell, 

 fearing that they might be imparting valuable secrets. 



In a great many instances, when a native doctor is called to attend 

 a patient, he first consults his diviuing-boues to find out the cause 

 of the ailment, and after satisfying himself on this point, reconsults 

 them to find out the particular medicine to be administered. 



The Basutos, like other South African natives, are great believers 

 in witch-craft, and they are firmly convinced that most of their 

 ailments are due to the evil influence of some person who may be 

 even living at a distance. To avert such evil influences or to break 

 their spell when they are at work, the natives employ divers " medi- 

 cines " and charms. These are administered in various ways, as 

 decoctions, lotions, powders, etc., or sprinkled in the huts or on their 

 persons, burnt in their courtyard, etc., as charms. The " medicines " 

 prepared from various plants are supposed to turn away lightning, 

 bring rain, or increase their crops, and there are few things in their 



