'J'HE VEGETATION OE^ NATAL. 315 



the soil of the other type of veld. The grasses found in this 

 high veld all grow tall and all flower regularl}-. 



Anthistiria iniberbis is nearly always the dominant 

 grass. It frequently has Andropogon ceresii\?formis as 

 a sub-dominant species, and various other species of Andro- 

 pogon are associated. The taller species, Andropogon 

 nardus var. marginatus (Tambootie grass) and Andro- 

 pogon filipendulus are characteristic of the moister spots. 

 They are transitional to the Vlei Formation, and also are 

 characteristic of the marginal belt which surrounds the 

 bush. 



Mixed with the A nthistiria- Andropogon Associa- 

 tions are species of Digitaria, Eragrostis and Panicum. 

 Species of Setaria, like the taller Andropogons, pi'efer 

 the moister spots. There are endless local variations : Tris- 

 tachya leucothrix, Trachypogon polymorphus and 

 one or other of the various Andropogons in turn become 

 sub-dominant or even dominant. Harpechloa capensisand 

 Microchloa caffra are two characteristic mountain species. 

 A full detailed classification into separate associations would 

 form an interesting task, and it is one which I hope to under- 

 take. 



It is extremely important to note how the nntural veld 

 associations are changing. Over wide areas the grass 

 Aristida junciformis has more or less complete]}' ousted 

 the more nutritious veld grasses. This is particularly the case 

 in the Richmond district for instance. Such an Aristida 

 association is also found lining for a yard or two each side of 

 the numerous Kafir paths that cross the veld. It is the 

 characteristic association along the railways. It is commonly 

 known locally as " wire grass," and the name describes it 

 well. Loosely cgespitose in habit with a slender rhizome, it 

 seems to be able to withstand conditions which ki]l the other 

 grasses. When trodden underfoot the natural veld grasses 

 soon give way to the Aristida, and this explains why it lines 

 the Kafir paths. Along the railways it is customary to ])uvn 

 the grasses as early as possible to prevent grass-fires spread- 



