198 HELENA FORBES 



Lonchitis puhescens. Other ferns which are found near 

 the river or in moist places are Pteris aquilina — the com- 

 mon '* bracken" — Pellaea calomelanos, Pellaea involuta, 

 P. liQstata, Cheilanthes liirta, while Adiantum Capillus- 

 Teneris (Maiden-hair) and A. Aethiopicum prefer shady 

 nooks. 



Leaving the river banks we come to the trees and 

 shrubs which grow plentifully on the slopes on either 

 side of the river. Eugenia cordata is the commonest, and 

 it grows everywhere, even within two or three feet of the 

 water. Others which are also common are Alhizzia 

 fastigiata, Ergtlirnia caffra^ Baphia racemosa, Trema 

 hracteolata and Bridelia micrantha. Creeping over these 

 shrubs and trees are three very pretty creepers — Jasmin- 

 nun multipart Hum, Seuecio tamoides and Senecio del- 

 toideus. Two very common flowering shrubs are Ihoza 

 riparia and Jussiaea suffruticosa, J. sujfruticosa till quite 

 recently seemed to belong exclusively to the river flora, 

 but now it is found almost everywhere, quite large bushes 

 flourishing well near the station. 



In the undergrowth specimens of Phaylopsis parvi flora, 

 Hijpoestcs vertlciUaris, E. antennifcra, Cyathula cijlin- 

 drica. Cassia Ijicapsularia, C. tomentosa, Barleria harhata, 

 Crotalaria capensis grow freely, while Eantana camara 

 is rapidly spreading. Its growth is so rapid and dense 

 that it is diflicult for the smaller plants and undergrowth 

 to survive. 



Returning from the Umhlatuzana towards Malvern 

 village, we pass through a field of China Guavas. Past 

 this field is a stretch of ground almost bare but for dried 

 grass and devoid of any trees save for one or two shrubs 

 of Acaria natalitia. In the grass we find clusters of pods 

 of Ahrus precatorius. The natural beauty of this part of 

 the counti-y is being spoiled by the cuttings and embank 

 ments for the new railwa}^ Later when the plants re- 

 establisli themselves, these parts may partly resume their 

 former aspect. 



