PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION C. 73 



numerous species of Panicum, as well as by distinctive Vernal and 

 Autumnal Aspect Societies. It is less stable than the Midland 

 Grassveld. 



3. Mountain Grassveld. The species composing this type are 

 more temperate in their affinities, and they grow in hard tussocks 

 with bare spaces in between. Microchloa spp., Harpechloa 

 capensis, Festuca spp., Poa spp., Avenastrum spp., Koeleria 

 cristata, Antkoxanthvm echloni are characteristic, but there is a 

 considerable admixture of Midland species. Aspect societies are 

 distinctive, both vernal and autumnal. 



6. — Tree Veld. (Grassveld with scattered trees.) 

 The succession in this type is peculiar and characteristic. The 

 pioneers are trees, not shrubs. Seeds of the pioneers are scattered 

 by animals, chiefly birds, and each pioneer tree serves as a centre 

 around which a clump of trees and shrubs becomes established. 

 Tree veld of various kinds is very widespread in the continent as 

 a whole. The following are the chief types of it in Natal: — 



A. Thorn Veld or Acacia Veld. Acacia Karroo, A. benthami, 

 and other species are the chief pioneers and remain dominant over 

 most of it. Gymnosporia bnxi folia and a great many other species 

 are associated. This type fills most of the great river valleys of the 

 Midlands with extensions to the drier parts of the Coastbelt, where 

 Dichrostachys nutans becomes prominent together with tree 

 Euphorbias, etc. 



B. Midland (High veld) Tree Veld. A mixed type which can- 

 be subdivided into several associations. It occurs above the Thorn- 

 veld, and Acacia species are rare or absent. Gussonia spicata, 

 Combretum spp., Erythrina tomentosa, Greyia sutherlandi, Maesa 

 lanceolata, Dornbeya spp., Commiphora spp., are a few of the more 

 prominent species. A good example of it has been analysed by 

 Mr. R. D. Aitken. 



C. Aloe Veld. Aloe marlothii and other species grow usuallv 

 on rocky slopes, sometimes associated with Thorn Veld. 



D. Hygrophilous Tree Veld. This is usually merely a stage 

 in the forest succession. (See Hygrophilous scrub and forest later.) 



E. Faurea Veld. Faurea salicpia dominant. This occurs on 

 certain sandy soils, e.g., near Pinetown, and again above Albert 

 Falls. Also might be placed under the heading "scrub and 

 forest." 



F. Coastbelt Tree Veld — a mesophytic type. Gussonia umbelli- 

 fera, Strelitzia augusta, Vanr/ueria infausta, Albizzia fastigiata, 

 Sapium spp., Drypetes spp., Spirostachys africana, etc. 



G. Ilala Palm Veld. Hypkaene crinita is dominant. It 

 occurs all along the coast behind the dunes on the drift sands. In 

 Zululand it covers a great belt from 20 to 30 miles wide. 



H. Bush Veld. This type (similar to that of the Transvaal) 

 was discovered recently in N.E. Zululand by Aitken and Gale. 

 Terminalia sericca, Combretum spp., and various Aloes are con- 

 spicuous in it. 



