AN (ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MIDLANDS OF NATAL. 543 



certain species connect it with the alpine formation of the 

 Drakensberg. 



(6) The Vlei Formation. 



The various associations can be graded according to the 

 wetness of the vlei and the amount of stagnation in the 

 water. In the larger vleis the associations are mixed. There 

 is a great variety of associated plants. 



(7) The Plant Formations of Streams and Rivers. 



Following these downwards, bush, veld, vlei, and rocky 

 hillside formations occur, with a distinct formation in the 

 moist marginal zone. Various associations along the river- 

 side are characteristic (Pennisetum, Phragmites, 

 Cyperus). The trees and shrubs which line the streams 

 and rivers are distinctive both in the high veld region and in 

 the low veld. 



The author desires to thank Mr. T. R. Sim, F.L.S., for 

 much assistance, particularly in connection with the floristic 

 work ; and he is also indebted to Mr. J. Fishei', B.Sc, of 

 Cedara, Natal, for specimens collected in that neighbourhood. 



EXPLANATION OF MAP AND OF PLATES 

 XL-XLVI, 



Illustrating Professor J. W. Bews's paper, " An CEcological 

 Survey of the Midlands of Natal with Special Reference to 

 the Pietermaritzburg District.'^ 



Map. 



In the vegetation map as first prepared by the writer the plant 

 formations were represented by different colours. Since the line of 

 demarcation between high and low veld is nowhere clearly defined, 

 but, on the contrary, the unstable Andropogon associations occupy 



