196 hf:lexa forbes 



rosea are also pretty grasses, and when the heads are all 

 fresh and bright they make the field or brae look quite 

 gay. Paniciim lacvifolium and P. maximum are the two 

 commonest species of Paniciim, other species being P. 

 eiirvatiun, P. natalense, P. htticomum^ P. isachne, P. 

 dregeana. P. cnis-gaUi and P. crus-pavonis. Of the genus 

 Eetaria, ^. sulcata is the dominant, aS. Lindenhergiana, 

 S. imherhis, S. aurea, aS. rigidus, and ><. verticillata — 

 which clings by means of bristles to clothing and animal's 

 furs, — are other species. Eragrostis species are also well 

 represented, E. aspera, E. gangetica, E. curvula, E. 

 chloromelas, E. hrizoides, E. tcnella and E. plana being 

 found everywhere. Paspalum distichum, P. scrrjhi- 

 viilatum, Anthistiria imherhis. Axonopus semialatus, 

 Tragus racemosus, Chloris eJegans, C. gaijana, C. virgata, 

 C. pifcnothrix, Ctenium concinnum, Eleusine indica, 

 Dactijloctenium aegjjptiacum, Phalaris minor, Leersia 

 hcrandra, Arundinella EcJdonii, Microchloa altera^ 

 ^jiorohoJus rentrifugus, 8. pungens, ^. indicus, S. Reh- 

 manni and Tristachija Icucotlirix complete the list. 



The T^mhlatuzana river is about two miles away 

 from Malvern village, and the land on either side of the 

 river is for the most part flat and very sandy, while here 

 and there are large cliffs which are often about fifty feet 

 or more sheer down to the water's edge. Aloes seem to 

 thrive well on these cliffs and during June, July and 

 August generally Aloe natalensis bears gorgeous lieads 

 of Idooms. Ficns natalensis and E. Petcrsii also seem to 

 be able to i)rocure a living on these rocks. 



Down at the River the Indians are cutting down all 

 the trees and clearing away the undeigrowth so as to 

 plant bananas, even to the extreme edge of the kloof. 



(JroAving in tlie water are floating masses of Potamoge- 

 ton javanicus and at the edge of the water is ^cirpus 

 fern u us. V\} till last year there used to be a fine lot of 

 Xjjmphaea Stella ta growing in a fairly still part of the 

 rivei*. Tin's ]ast season there was absolutelv no trace of the 



