512 J. W. BEWS. 



problems continue to present themselves, and the ecology of 

 the Drakensberg Range has proved as interesting as its 

 scenery is magnificent. 



While increasing knowledge of the flora of Natal and its 

 ecology has helped to lighten the task in some respects, yet 

 the immense distances and genei-al inaccessibility of most 

 parts of the Drakensberg presented fresh difficulties. 



A month (Januaiy, 1914) was spent by the writer at Van 

 Reenen's Pass, which is a convenient centre for investigating 

 the lower portion of the range and the character and relation- 

 ships of the main plant formations, the bnsh and veld. Sub- 

 sequently shorter visits were paid to the Newcastle district, 

 and the Groodoo Pass and Mont aux Sources region. 



The last mentioned will doubtless in time become much 

 better known, since it is being set aside as a National Park. 

 It is certainly worthy of the distincton. 



The writer desires to acknowledge generous assistance from 

 the following: Mrs. R. Putt, Botanist to the Transvaal Museum, 

 who sent a list of plants which she had named for Mr. R. E. 

 Symons from Giant's Castle ; Mr. T. R. Sim for identifying the 

 mosses and hepatics and other valuable assistance ; Dr. E. P. 

 Phillips, of the South African Museum, who undertook the 

 naming of various collections made by the writer, and who also 

 supplied other lists ; Mr. J. S. Henkel, Conservator of Forests 

 for Natal, for obtaining specimens through his forest officer 

 stationed at Olivier's Hoek ; and Senator F. F. Churchill, Avho 

 was visiting the Groodoo and Mont aux Sources at the same 

 time as the writer. 



I. GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND SOIL 

 CONDITIONS. 



The Drakensberg range of mountains forms the western 

 boundary of Natal. It is, properly speaking, the elevated 

 escarpment of the great inland plateau. It is only when 

 viewed from the Natal side that it appears as a lofty range of 

 mountains, the ascent from the other side being much more 



