Notes on Distribution of Species in Transkei 23 



The case is far different with succulent fruited species. Such 

 trees as black ironwood (Olea laurifolia) that are aided in 

 seed dispersal by birds, especially parrots — wild fig (Ficus 

 spp.) especially by the migratory green pigeon — will spread if 

 such birds, living in forests where a particular species is absent, 

 will go far enough afield to forests where such species abound 

 and return to deposit the seeds. By such means will the 

 gaps in the seed-bed be bridged. 



In brief the idea is that heat is the chief determining factor. 

 Otherwise, speaking generally, trees will grow in any forest soil, 

 and species which do not naturally occur owe their absence to 

 lack of opportunity due to want of seed-dispersal or pollinating 

 agents, rather than to edaphic reasons. 



Experimental plantings, intelligently and carefully carried 

 out, if successful, will at least, strengthen this suggestion. 



