532 J. w. BEWS. 



chai'acter to the plant formation. Such plants as L eu co- 

 si dea sericea, Pi"otea hirta, Erica sp. connect it with 

 the alpine formation of the Drakensberg. 



6. THE VLEI POEMATION. 



The term vlei is applied to a marsh in S. Africa. They 

 are formed most frequently along the spruits or streams, 

 where these spread over the level ground. In some cas'es 

 vleis occupy small circular depressions with no outlet. In 

 such cases they may dry up during the dry season. There are 

 very few examples of actual lakes or ponds, though there ai-e 

 one or two in the low veld region. 



The vegetation of the vleis varies according to the degree 

 of wetness and stagnation in the water, and the various plant 

 associations may be graded accordingly as follows : 



(a) The tambootie and other Andropogon associations, 

 found in the moister spots of the veld, form a transitional 

 type to the vlei. In such places the Andropogon species 

 grow tall, and there are all gradations between this and 

 ordinary veld. As one passes from pure Anthistiria veld 

 the Andropogon species become more and more abundant as 

 they do on the slopes, but in the passage to the vlei they also 

 grow taller and taller, until one reaches the type that is 

 usually spoken of as a vlei. It is impossible, however, to 

 draAv any definite distinction between this driest type of vlei 

 and the moister paints of the veld. 



(b) Setaria aurea becomes dominant in Avetter vleis. Its 

 golden spikes give a characteristic colour to this type, so that 

 it can be recognised from a distance. 



(c) Eragrostis nebulosa is dominant in many vleis — some 

 of them are quite dry in the dry season but flooded in the rainy 

 season. Its loose spreading panicles again give a charac- 

 teristic colour, this time a greyish white. 



(d) Phragmites communis is dominant in the very wet 

 vleis where the water is draining through fairly rapidly. The 



