15 



It has been stated that the 'Nara grows nowhere but near 

 Walfisch Bay, but the natives say that it is to be found at intervals 

 near the Coast, southward, in the direction of Angra Pequina, and 

 northwards, towards the Cuanene River. As far, however, as 

 I can gather, it would seem to flourish only near sandy river-beds 

 where the roots can strike downwards to the underlying waters. 

 If it were totally independent of this moisture there is nothing 

 to prevent it spreading over the sand-dimes, but it does not do so. 



In this district it does not grow to the northward of the Kuisip 

 bed, although the sand-dunes extend to the River Swakop. I 

 have seen a solitary stunted specimen growing near Rooikop, a 

 granite kopje in the desert to the eastward, but it almost certainly 

 sprang from seed carried by the black and white crows which 

 nest there, and has no significance as regards the true habit of the 

 plant. I have heard of a bush on the rocky banks of the Swakop, 

 near Salem, but that also is a straggler and its presence is noted 

 as a curiosity. 



The views above expressed as to the dependence of the 'Nara 

 on underground moisture may or may not be correct. They are 

 borne out, however, by observation in this district, but more 

 knowledge is required of the conditions under which this strange 

 plant flourishes elsewhere, before a decided opinion can be 

 arrived at. 



(Signed) John J. Cleverly, 



Resident Magistrate. 



IV.-POISON IVY. 



The Poison Ivy of the United States is occasionally grown in 

 this country, where its poisonous effects are little known and 

 excite little alarm. Disagreeable effects are, however, apt to 

 follow the use of its autumn-coloured leaves for table decoration. 

 Primula obconica produces somewhat similar effects, and cases 

 have occurred amongst the gardeners at Kew of serious irritation 

 to the skin as the result of incautiously handling it. 



The following article is reprinted from Bhodora, for March, 1902 

 (pp. 43-45) :— 



Ivy Poisoning and Its Treatment. 

 Franz Pfaff, M.D., Ph.D. 



Of all the cutaneous eruptions caused by poisoning plants those 

 produced by poison ivy (Bhus Toxicodendron), and by poison 

 sumach (B. venenata), are probably the most common in this 

 country. 



It is the general belief of the public and of most physicians 

 that the ec/ematous conditions, which occur in many persons 

 after handling such plants, may be caused also by emanations 

 from the plant, the active principle being thought to be a volatile 

 substance. 



The two attempts to isolate the active principles failed. One of 

 tfee investigators, J. Khittel, attributed the action of poison ivy to 



