THE SOUTH TEMPERATE ZONE 313 



is at once struck by the magnificent European oaks and the stately 

 stone pines from the Mediterranean which are perfectly at home 

 and completely naturalized. Two Californian conifers arc ex- 

 tensively planted, the Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and the 

 Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). These two trees are 

 very restricted in their natural range on the coast of central 

 California, but are easily grown and are now extensively planted in 

 many warm temperate countries. 



Australian gums, wattles (Acacia), and Casuarinas are also 

 frequently planted, the Acacias being grown extensively for their 

 bark, which is of great value for tanning. Hakea suaveolens, one 

 of the Australian Proteaceae, has escaped from cultivation in some 

 places and become quite naturalized. 



All the fruits of the warm temperate zone flourish at the Cape. 

 Peaches, apricots, figs, oranges and grapes, are extensively grown, 

 the latter yielding wine of great excellence. 



It is supposed that much of the Cape region was originally 

 forested, but at present almost no forest is left, and only in a few 

 mountainous districts can one see the remnants of the original 

 forest. The most important trees are species of Podocarpus; 

 P. latifolia, and P. elongata are said to reach a gigantic size. Two 

 species of Callitris, small trees resembling junipers or cypresses 

 are the only representatives of the true conifers. 



In the low wet ground the common calla-lily is very abundant, 

 and on the ponds are white and blue water-lilies, and various other 

 aquatics, some of the common pond-weed types, rushes, and sedges, 

 but others peculiar to the region, like the curious Aponogeton dis- 

 tachya, whose forked clusters of white flowers at once attract 

 attention. 



Natal 



On the east coast of Africa, the transition from the strictly 

 tropical to the temperate regions is a very gradual one. Durban, 

 the port of Natal, in lat. 30°, has a sub-tropical climate suited to 

 the growth of many tropical products: sugar, bananas, pineapples, 

 etc., and in the attractive botanical gardens of the town, one may 

 see coco-palms, royal palms, bamboos, and many gorgeous tropical 

 trees and shrubs growing luxuriantly. 



Fronting the Indian Ocean, the climate is warm and humid, 



