Floristik und Systematik der Phanerogamen 569 



sonnelies et en tenant compte des rösultats des nombreuses recher- 

 ches poursuivies dans les possessions fran9aises nord-africaines, les 

 auteurs ont pu dresser l'inventoire le plus complet de la flore vas- 

 culaire algero-tunisienne. Un grand nombre d'especes nouvelles ont 

 ^t^ introduites; des rectifications ä d'anciennes determinations ont 

 ^t6 aussi apportees. La Society botanique de France a 

 attribue aux auteurs en 1905 le prix fond^ par de Coincy. 



J. Offner. 



Bolus, H., Sketch of the floral regions of South Africa. 

 (Science in South Africa. August 1905. Separate Copy. 40 pp. 

 and one Map.) 



The flora of South Africa is arranged in the following six 

 regions: Western Coast, South-western Coast, South-Eastern Coast, 

 Karroo, Upper Region, Kalahari Region. In the case of each of these 

 regions the author first considers the climatic conditions and then 

 the Constitution of the flora; remarks are added on edaphic in- 

 fluences, upon the Vegetation, on plant-formations, plant-forms, polli- 

 nation and introduced plants, vvhere data are available; comparisons 

 of the different regions are also given. The general conclusions, 

 derived from these considerations, are as follows: The South Afri- 

 can Flora roughly consists of two chief types — the smaller, South 

 western^ which is older in its main features and presents signs of a 

 similar origin to that of Australia, and an African type, covering 

 all the remainder of the area and presenting at the most very slight 

 affinities with the Australian region. The whole flora is markedly 

 xerophilous, the coast districts resembling the Mediterranean flora 

 in appearance; the South-western and South-eastern coast regions 

 are distinguished by their highly-differentiated character or by the 

 narrow distribution-area of many species. There is a marked defi- 

 ciency of trees and of sociable plants and a want of luxuriance of 

 growth (especially in the W. portions). There appears to be a 

 strong inherent power to resist the aggression of foreign invaders. 

 Bush-fires are exercising a marked influence upon the Flora, pro- 

 bably leading to diminution in the number of species. 



F. E. Fritsch. 



Burtt=Davy, J., Comparative Notes onthe Vegetation of 

 Matabele-Land, Bechuanaland, and the Transvaal. 

 (Transvaal Agricultural Journal. Vol. IV. No. 13. 1905. p. 134 

 — 141.) 



A number of notes, made during the journey of the Brit. Assoc. 

 to Rhodesia. On the plains of the Highveld (betw. Pretoria and 

 Bloem fontein) grasses are dominant, but south of the latter place 

 dwarf shrubby Composites (e. g. Pentzla virgala) predominate and 

 grasses are scarce. Around Otto's Hoop, Mafeking and Lo- 

 batsi limestone outcrops (with Olea verrucosa, Rlins viminalis 

 and Enclea iindulata) are common, while between Gab ero n e s and 

 Palla Road three distinct plant-associations (viz. shrubby Strychnos- 

 bush with large shrubs of Gardenia Thiinbergia ; Terminalia seri- 

 cea ; Biirkea africana) are found. Nearing Palapye Road the „Ma- 

 paane" (due to species of Bauhlnia) forest appears, the undergrowth 

 consisting largely o\ Acacia, Anaphreniiim etc. The M ato ppo Park 

 is less densely forested than the surrounding country, but the forest 

 flora is much the same as that of the middleveld of the Transvaal, 



