Floristik, Geographie, Systematik etc. 53 



from the low intensity of the bush formation to the füll light of the 

 open Veld. The influence of grass-burning is also examined in 

 relation to flowering of Veld species and the present distribution 

 of trees. 



The plant formations and associations (p. 293 — 324) are described 

 and illustrated by a series of representative photographs; for each 

 type there are lists of species classified to indicate dominance and 

 biological grouping; these can only be briefly indicated: 



Shore Vegetation. 1) Halophilous associations on unstable sand, 

 viz. associations of Scaevola-Cyperus, Pes-Caprae , and Mesembryan- 

 themum. 



2) Psammophilous Bush formation on fixed sand-dunes (15 — 70 m.) 

 forming a fringing belt along the whole coast of Natal, a quarter- 

 mile broad to 50 miles in Zululand; the bush consists of trees with 

 little undergrowth but many lianes; dominant, Mimusops caffra, 

 Strelitsia augusta, etc. 



3) and 4) Lagoon Mangrove formation and Barringtonia asso- 

 ciation. 



Island Vegetation: this consists of evergreen dicotylous forest 

 and grassland with summer rains and dry winters; the lower Val- 

 leys have a dry climate, low winter temperature and a xerophytic 

 Vegetation. 



Bush. 5) Scattered Bush towards the coast; dominant, Albissia 

 fastigiata, Rhus longifolia, etc. 



6) Midland Bush: dominant, Combretum kraussiana, etc. 



7) Yellow Wood Bush: dominant, Podocarpus elongata, P. thun- 

 bergii, Olea laurifolia, etc. These bush types occur on the terrace 

 slopes with a south-east exposure, rain and mist; although differing 

 floristically they are placed under one formation, but the differences 

 are discussed. 



8) Rocky Stream flora of the narrower higher-lying Valleys. 



9) Thorn Veld is the Vegetation of the broader dry Valleys 

 where trees (Acacia spp.) grow scattered park-like in a grassland Veld. 



Grassland or Veld so widely distributed in Natal presents two 

 types 



10) High-level Veld on the open soils of the higher hüls with 

 the larger rainfall is distinguished by tall grasses which flovver regu- 

 larly; Anthistiria imberbis is nearty always dominant, associated 

 with Andropogon spp., Digitaria, etc. Noteworthy is the invasion of 

 Aristida junciformis, an inferior grass, along paths and as a result 

 of burning, notably along the railways. 



11) Low-level Veld on hard dry clays with Valley frosts and 

 rainfall. The grasses more xerophytic and although Anthistiria is 

 dominant, it is tufted and seldom fiowers. 



12) The associated plants of the Veld are discussed in groups 

 which in flowering are related to the time at which the grass was 

 last burned. 



13) and 14; Marsh types of the Vleis or wetter parts of the Veld. 



15) Aquatic types are briefly referred to in relation to the 

 marsh types. 



16) Associations of cultivated land. 



A list of plants with English, Dutch and Kafir names concludes 

 this interesting memoir. W. G. Smith. 



Blodgett, F. H., Ecological Plant geography of Maryland, 



