Vt'i:^etahk Frodiidio/is of Abyssinia 3 1 1 



whole territory, for the well-watered valleys are rich in species 

 and individuals, while the volcanic mountains and sandy plains 

 are either almost destitute of vegetation, or only occupied by very 

 few species. 



Cycadaceffi, Lauraceas, Ternstroemiace^, Dipterocarpese, Ilicineae, 

 Magnoliacere, Berberidec'e, and other families, are entirely absent 

 from Abyssinia. The large family Myrtacese is sparingly repre- 

 sented, while the neighbouring family, Combretacete, is abundant. 

 There is no family of plants exclusively confined to Abyssinia, 

 nor indeed to tropical Africa; but several genera are limited 

 either to Abyssinia or tropical Africa. Many genera, formerly 

 supposed to be peculiar to Abyssinia, have recently been discovered 

 by explorers on the western side of the continent, as Brucea, 

 Nathusia, etc. 



I will now pass in review a few of the more important and 

 interesting families represented in Abyssinia, specially noticing 

 those plants employed either medicinally or economically. It is 

 almost superfluous to remark, that the Abyssinians have tilled the 

 ground, more or less, from time immemorial, and have introduced 

 and cultivate many useful plants from the surrounding countries. 

 Of the Gramineae no fewer than 200 species are reported ; and 

 several species peculiar to the country are cultivated for their 

 grain ; wheat, barley, maize, and oats are grown, the first and 

 second extensively. 



The principal indigenous cereals cultivated are the Teft 

 (Poa Abyssinia), the Dagussa or Tocusso (Elleusine Tocusso), 

 and the (Michella), Andropogon Sorghum. Of the foregoing, Teft' 

 is the most important, being extensively cultivated throughout 

 the country, at an elevation of between 6000 and 7000 feet above 

 the level of the sea. There are many varieties of Teft", such as 

 white, red, green, and purple. 



According to M. Richard,-^ four months from the time of sowing 

 are necessary to bring the seed of Teff" to maturity. In the environs 

 of Gondar it is sown in August, and cut about the end of Novem- 

 ber or beginning of December ; and in favourable seasons produces 

 forty-fold, but oftener less than ten-fold. 



Speaking of this grain Bruce says : — 



"The Abyssinians, indeed, have plenty of wheat, and some of it of an 

 excellent quality. They likewise make as fine wheaten bread as any in the 

 world, both for colour and for taste ; but the use of wheat-bread is chiefly con- 



* " Flora Abvssinia." 



