184 l-]-OKA OF SOITHEKX KIIOIJKSIA. 



As I liave not liad access to the latest literature on the 

 subject, 1 cannot attempt to institute comparisons between the 

 ilora of Southern Rhodesia and that oi other better-known 

 regions, but I think there can be little doubt that our southern 

 and western districts will be found to have close affinity with 

 the northern parts of the Union, and particularly with the 

 region sometimes spoken of as the Kalahari, while our northern 

 one will be found closely related to the Central African flora, 

 and the eastern coast belt nearly akin to the south-east coast 

 region of the Union. 



The high i)osition of the Eubiaceae, which may be marked 

 fourth on the list, seems unusual, i hough it is probable this 

 will be found to be a feature of the Central African flora north 

 of the Zambesi. As far as I am aware, the position of the next 

 three families is also unusually high in the list, that is the 

 Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Labiatae. I do not think they 

 occupy such an important place in any of the regions to the 

 south.^ Scroplmlariaceae is unexpectedly low in position (ninth) 

 and Liliaceae much less important than in most of South Africa. 

 Very little work has been done on the Cyperaceae, and 1 have 

 littfe do!ibt that when they are systematically examined, they 

 will (limb u]) the ladder, on which now they occupy the eleventh 

 rung. The Gramineae, although now standing in the third 

 l)lace, are really not well known, and may be found to assume 

 an even greater importance when further studied. 



I have omitted all reference to Cryptogams, as there are 

 so few workers in this branch, and it is i)erhaps better to keep 

 them distinct from Phanerogams in tabular comparisons of 

 this kind. 



Although progress in knowledge of the Rhodesian flora 

 has been slow during the last five years, I am confident that 

 we have now rea( bed a stage when rajjid advance may be 

 expected. Interest in the subject is awakening as its import- 

 ance becomes more and more realised, and I am glad to say 

 that the number of locally resident students and collectors is 

 to-day greater than ever before. 



I regret that I have not been able, for reasons given, to 

 work out the i-elationship of the Rhodesian flora with that of 

 adjacent territories, but I hope that the analysis of its con- 

 stituents now placed on record will serve as a definite landmark 

 from whi(di we can go forward witli investigation and research, 

 and that it mav be of assistance to all workers in tin's field. 



