528 J. w. BKws. 



all flow more or less in an easterly direction from the 

 Drakensberg to the sea, the slopes on the north side have a 

 southerly exposure, and are sheltered from the dry, hot winds. 

 Such portions of the low veld region stand in contrast to the 

 wide alluvial flats. 



South Exposure. — The rocky hillside formation with 

 south exposure consists of : 



The thorn veld speciesof Acacia, Celastrus buxif olius, 

 Tecoma capensis, Zizyphus mucronata, Ehretia 

 hottentotica, Cussonia spicata, and any of the other 

 thorn veld species. 



As far as its composition goes it differs very slightly from 

 thorn veld ; but owing to the steepness of the slope the 

 grasses are not so abundant, the trees do not suffer from 

 grass fires, and since they are also more sheltered they grow 

 closer together, forming thorn thickets. The situation, 

 exposure, etc., in this case are the same as those of the close 

 type of bush, but the factors operating are those of the low 

 veld region. The associated plants are more abundant than 

 in the case of the thorn veld. An admixture of ferns in the 

 moister portions of the underbush is a feature. 



North Exposure. — On the slopes which face north, i.e. 

 on the south side of the river, we get the more xerophytic 

 rocky hillside formation of the low veld region made up of : 



Aloe ferox, A. spp., Cussonia spicata, Euphorbia 

 grandidens, E. tirucalli, E. spp., Commiphora 

 harveyi, C. caryasfolia, Encephalartos altenstenei 

 Passerina spp., Scutia commersonii, Rhus spp., 

 Hippobromus alata, Pt^roxylon utile, Acacia 

 caffra var. rupestris (A. eridinia ?), Acacia horrida, 

 Mesembrianthemum spp. 



Succulent or semi-succulent lianes : 



Sarcostemma viminalis, Dregia floribunda, Rio- 

 creuxia sp., Capparis spp., Secamone sp., Ceropegia 

 sp., Cissampelos sp., Vitis cuneifolia, V. sp., Senecio 

 spp. 



This is one of the most extensive and most interesting of 



