16 E.P, Phillips 



With regard to the affinities of the flora in the neighbourhood 

 of Bethlehem no definite statement can be made until it is better 

 worked. I have no hesitation, however, in stating that from the 

 observations made on the short visit that the flora in this locality 

 will prove to be intermediate between that of the High Veld of 

 the Orange Free State and the Eastern Mountain Region. The 

 presence of cave-sandstone brings in a flora belonging to the 

 latter Region and most of the species collected on this formation 

 are eastern rather than O.F.S. High Veld. The order of 

 importance of the natural Orders: 



1 . Compositae. 



2. Cramineac. 



3. Liliaceae. 



4. Leguminosae. 



also shows a relationship with the Eastern Mountain Region 

 as does also the higher percentage of the Compositae. The 

 absence of Ericaceae and Orchidaceae (at least none were col- 

 lected) is significant. The presence of a large heath and 

 orchid flora in the Eastern Mountain Region is one of its out- 

 standing features. It would appear therefore that the area 

 round Bethlehem is for the greater part under the influence of 

 the conditions prevailing in the Free State and that the intrusion of 

 cave sandstone with its distinct flora is alone responsible for the 

 affinity with the Eastern flora. 



Similar conclusions to the above will no doubt be reached if 

 various localities bordering on the boundary of the Eastern 

 Mountain Region are examined. The western boundary of this 

 Region might then be mapped v^nith some accuracy, but I doubt 

 whether it will be very materially altered. 



1 . Phillips. Contributions to the Flora of the Leribe Plateau. — 

 Ann. S. Afri. Museum xvi. 1. plate 7. 



