THE SOUTH TEMPERATE ZoXE 



307 



of South Africa, except near the coast, is destitute of proper 

 forests, and is either grass-land and savannas, where there is suf- 

 ficient rainfall, or a more or less complete desert , as in most of the 

 great Kalahari and the Karroo. 



The Cape is famous for the beauty and variety of its flowers, 

 many of which are familiar denizens of our gardens and conserva- 

 tories. Such are the common calla lily, Pelargoniums, Gladioli, 

 many species of Oxalis, Mesembryanthemum, Lobelia, and many 

 others. The profusion of showy flowers adorning the sandy flats 



Bar 



Fig. 83. — Karroo vegetation near Beaufort West, Cape Colony. Carissa ferox (?), 

 Euphorbia Mauretanica, Grewia cana, Lycium sp., Mesembryanthemum sp. 

 Photo., Dr. W. A. Cannon. 



near Cape Town in September and October, is equalled only by the 

 display in Western Australia under very similar conditions. 



In the chaparral on the mountain sides, are heaths of many 

 kinds, and along the railways are millions of brilliant flowers of 

 every shade of vivid color. Among these are many of the Iris 

 family, especially species of Babiana, with blue, purple or lavender 

 flowers. Others of the same family are species of Moraea, looking 

 much like a true Iris, and with flowers of purple, yellow or bright 

 orange; Pelargoniums of many species, calla oua (iazanias 



(Compositae), and giant sundews (Drosera), orchid-, Prot< 

 (Proteaceae), and endless other brilliant flowers. 



