24 prksij^ext's addrkss. 



Unlike the adjoining region of Bushmanland, the vegetation 

 here is much more pronounced and conspicuous ; instead of small 

 stunted shrubs, the Kalahari often supports a growth of well- 

 developed trees, amongst which the Camel Thorn dominates, and 

 under which a luxuriant growth of various grasses is usually 

 found. 



The majority of the dunes are covered with coarse grass, — 

 the Pijpgras, — amongst which scattered " Witgat " trees {Boscia 

 rehmannlana, B. albitninca and B. Pcclniclii) are dotted about. 

 Some of the more common grasses in this veld are Eragrostis 

 superba, Eragrostis denudata, Eragrostis pallens, Aristida 

 uniplumis, Aristida. stipiformis, Aristida mollissinia, ScJiniidtia 

 bulbosa and Anthephora pubescens, while the low-lying sandy 

 plains with internal drainage support only a scanty growth of 

 brak plants, such as the Brak bos {Atriplex Halirnns), the Brak 

 Ganna [Salota aphylla), the Kapokbossie {Eriocephalus 

 miibeUatus) and tlie Harpuis bos {Euryops vinjtifidns). 



The fact of the presence of numerous brak plants in this 

 region has an important bearing on Prof. Schwarz's Kalahari 

 scheme. Even if it were possible to irrigate the Kalahari, this 

 ground would be useless for agricultural purposes, as wheat and 

 similar crops will not grow in a brak soil. 



One of the most characteristic plants of certain parts of this 

 sand veld is the Tsamma (Citrullus vulgaris), a melon which 

 furnishes a valuable stock food in times of drought. 



13.— The Dam.\ralaxd Thorn Yeld {Plate XVII). 



In the north-west corner of the inland plateau dealt with 

 within the scope of tliis address are situated the Highlands of 

 Central Damaraland, which consist of rugged mountainous 

 country with an average rainfall of 15 inches. 



The vegetation is fairly uniform throughout and may be 

 described as the Damaraland Thorn Veld. 



It is essentially a thorn scrub made up of bushes and trees 

 which range from 10 to 20 ft. in height and is composed of 

 Haakdoom (Acacia detinens), Acacia Maras, Acacia heteracantha, 

 A. dulcis, the Sikkelbos (Dichrostachys nutans), the VaalbO'S 

 (Tarchonanthus camphor atus), the Witgat (Boscia Pechuelii) and 

 Combretum apiculatuni. 



Common succulents in this scrub, especially on the steep 

 hill slopes, are Aloe rubrolutca , A. hcreroensis and Senecio 

 longiflorus. 



In the dry river valleys the trees attain a great size, and 

 consist chiefly of the Kameeldoom (Acacia Giraffac), the Doorn- 

 boom (A. karroo), the Blinkblaar-wacht-een-bietje (Zizyphus 

 niucronafa), Combretum primigenum and Acacia Jiebeclada. On 

 the open sandy flats the Stinkbosch (Boscia foetida), Kriedoorn 

 (Lyciu7n spp.) and Cataphractes Alexandri often dominate the 

 veld. 



Towards the east the thorn scrub merges into tlie Kalnliari, 

 where the Haakdoorn becomes the dominant bush. 



