546 J. w. HEWS. 



color and Rhus spp., Sclimidelia africaiia, Cluytia 

 sp., Heteromorpha avboresceiis , Euclea uiidulata, 

 Celastrus buxifolins, C. acuininatus, C. iindatus, 

 Pterocelastrus sp., Plectronia mundtiaiia, P. veii- 

 tosa, Hippobromus alata, Cryptocarya acuminata, 

 Royena lucida, Clausena inequalis, Rliamnus 

 pi'inoides, Burchellia capensis, GreAvia occiden- 

 talis, Leucosidea sericea, Cliffoi'tia spp., Arundi- 

 naria tesselata, and various lianes, Scutia coinmersonii, 

 Rub us pinnatus, R. rigidus, Clematis braccliiata, 

 Senecio spp., Ipomoea spp., Dioscorea spp., Vitis 

 capensis, Stropliantlius capensis. 



In its lioristic composition and ecology the marginal belt is 

 very similar to the scrub — a fact which indicates the succes- 

 sion mentioned above. The undergrowth of herbs is not so 

 abundant in point of numbers as that of the scrub, but it 

 contains more or less the same species with such additions as : 

 Disperis fanninse, Oxyanthus sp., Asparagus sp., 

 Pteris cretica, P. dentata, P. biauriata, Cystop- 

 teris fragilis, Asplenium thecif erum, A. pra^morsum, 

 A. cuneatum, Cyrtomium falcatum, Polystichum 

 aristatum, P. aculeatum, Trichomanes pyxidiferum, 

 Lycopodium verticillatum, L. gnidioides, tSelagi- 

 nella kraussiana. 



Comparing this Drakensberg bush with that of the Midlands, 

 we note the following facts. The trees are gnarled and 

 weather-beaten and often covered with bearded lichens ; the 

 deciduous tendency is increased ; there is less undergrowth of 

 shrubs ; lianes are confined to the margin for the most part ; 

 the composition of the marginal belt differs considerably ; 

 epiphytes are not abundant, but species of Angra?cum and 

 Polystachya occur. 



The need for greater protection is seen in a general decrease 

 in size of the species. The YelloAv-wood is often much dwarfed 

 as compared with that in the Midland Bush. In most of the 

 bush the lower portion is evergreen and denser, the upper 

 portion is more deciduous, and the grasses tend to invade it. 



