^b PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



In Moordenaars Karroo, shrubby Mesembrianthemums (M. 

 spinosum and related species) practically dominate the vegetation. 



The Eastern Karroo^ is characterised by the presence of Aloe 

 ferox, Pentzia virgata, and an abundance of a number of succulent 

 species of Euphorbia, amongst which the Noorse {E. coerulescens) 

 is often the dominant plant, as in the Jansenvillet district and 

 Sundays Biver Valley. 



Whenever the soil is inclined to be brackish, the Ganna bosch 

 {Salsola aphylla and S Zeyheri) takes possession of the veld. 



The vegetation in the central portion of the Great Karroo' is 

 composed mainly of succulent Mesemhrianthemums which take 

 on a more or less cushion -like form of growth. These include 

 Mesemhrianthemum calamifornie, M. felhium, etc. 



The Western or Ceres Karroo includes the Bokkeveld and 

 Tanqua Karroos, which are the driest parts of this region. The 

 Kraalbos (Galenia africana) and the Geel Melkbos {Euphorbia 

 -mauritanica) cover extensive areas and entirely dominate the veld. 



The Little Karroo comprises the country surrounding 

 Ladismith and Oudtshoom. To the north it is bounded by the 

 JZwarte Berg range and on the south by the Lange Berg and 

 Outeniquas Mountains. 



The vegetation in the Little Karroo is more pronounced and 

 more varied than the Great Karroo. It harbours a number of the 

 most interesting plants found m South Africa. In the western 

 portion, which includes the valley of the Touws River, one of the 

 distinguishing features of the veld is the presence of the Guarri 

 Bush (Euclea undulata) both on the plains and on the hill slopes. 

 Closely associated with the Guarri Veld are bushes and trees of 

 the Wilde Pruimen {Pappea capensis) and the Boer-boon (ScJiotia- 

 speciosa). In addition to this tree and bush growth the veld is 

 covered on the flats with an extensive growth of shrubby Vijge- 

 bossies (Mesernbrianthemum spp.), Gannabos (SaJsnIa aphylla), 

 Kraalbosch (Galenja africana), and Witbossie (Pteronia pallens). 



On the hill slopes the vegetation is much more varied. The 

 most typical plant associations include the Botei'boom (Cotyledon 

 fascicular is), Plakkies (Crassula portulacea), the Geel Melkbos 

 (Euphorbia- mauritanica), the Rooi Alwijn (Aloe microstigma), 

 Crassula perfossa and Sarcocaulon spp. 



The vegetation on the plains and valleys in the eastern portion 

 of the Little Karroo is of much the same type as that in the west, 

 but the Vijgebo'ssies (Mesembrianthemuyn spp.) more often than 

 not entirely dominate the veld, while the Bitter Alwiin (Aloe 

 ferox) and the Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) become more and 

 more prominent on the hill slopes towards the east. 



Situated just beyond the south-west corner of the Little 

 Karroo is a small island of Karroo Veld commonly known as the 

 Boschjes Veld. This is now usually referred to as the Robertson 

 Karroo. 



Its original name at once indicates the general nature of the 

 vegetation which is here more luxuriant than in other parts of the 

 Karroo. The bushes are composed chiefly of the Guarri (Euclea 

 undulata), the Bos-ijzerhout (Dodonaea Thunbergiana), the 

 Boer-boon (Schotia speciosa), and the Num-num iCarissa 



