314 J. W. BEWS. 



cliloa caffra, Sporobolus iiidicus, Kceleria cristata, 

 Anthoxanthum ecklonii, Cynodon dactylon. 



These are nearly all perennials. The onl}- important 

 annuals are certain species of Digitaria (D. ternata, D. 

 horizontalis, D. sanguinalis), of Setaria (S. im- 

 berbis and S, verticillata), and Elensine indica. 

 They are mostly of the narrow-leaved type, though those that 

 grow near the edges of the bush may be broad-leaved, e.g. 

 Setaria sulcata which extends within the bush, and is 

 found also beside streams. Being perennial the majority have 

 the tufted form, with numerous innovation shoots, which may 

 be intra-vaginal or may pierce through the subtending shea.ths 

 and form stolons. The stems and leaves are often covered 

 with coarse hairs, though individual syjecies vary in this 

 respect according to the situation and soil in which they are 

 growing. The spikelets are often hairy, as, for instance, in the 

 silvery villous Andro^iogon hirtus, one of the most 

 abundant grasses. 



The whole of the grassland may be divided into two 

 main types : (1) The high-level veld, growing on the loose, 

 well-aerated soil of the higher hills and ridges (see PI. 

 XX, fig. 1). (2) The low-level veld growing on the hard- 

 baked clay soil of the lower v;illeys (see PI. XX, fig. 2). 

 The former type corresponds to the sour veld or red grass 

 veld, using the farmers' terminology, and the latter type to 

 the sweet veld or blue grass veld. I have not adopted these 

 terms, because I find that they are very loosely applied. 

 Any veld where cattle do Avell is apt to be termed sweet veld, 

 and the blue colour of the grass in the latter type is by no 

 means constant. 



(10) HIGH LEVEL VELD. 



This veld is associated with the close type of bush which 

 occupies the south-eastern slopes (Yellow Wood bush, etc.), 

 and since it covers the higher levels it enjoys a greater 

 amount of rainfall, a less amount of frost in winter, a soil 

 which, though I'ichcr mechanically, is poorer chemically than 



