Foui:sT i'K(h;hi;ss in riii: i)Kak1':xsi!i:k<; 



183 



'i'lie patch of forest examined contained numerous Lcnco- 

 sicira scricca, many bcin<j^ dominated by such trees as Mxisitic 

 niclauoplilcos, Oliuia, etc.. and ajjparently dying from supi)rcs- 

 sion. Outside the forest, along its eastern perimeter, and scat- 

 tered about the tall grass, were isolated shrubs of l.ciii-nsidnh 

 scricca of various sizes and ages, these being more numerous 

 nearest the perimeter. Underneath the Lcncosidca scritcn. l)ut 

 never found l)y itself in the grass, were seedlings of Myrsine 

 africana. The Lcncosidca scricca ])rovides a dense shade and 

 abiuidant humus, tlie dense shade killing the grasses. I'nder 

 old shrubs the Myrsine africana was more abundant, and assisted 

 still further in ousting the grasses. Here and there, under the 

 two kinds of shrubs seedlings of such trees and shrubs as Afyrsinc 

 mclanoph.lcos, Rhus sp., liallcria. Rhamniis, Podocarpas Tliuii- 

 hcrgii. Dais, Olinia, Cassinopsis and lianes of various kinds 

 spread over the bushes. Next, examining what was considered 

 the actual perimeter, it was noticed that the Leucosidca was more 

 numerous, and the floor ahnost completely covered with Myrsine 

 africana. Penetrating the forest, it was observed that under 

 the protection of the latter two kinds nearly all the forest trees 

 were represented, and growing as vigorously as circumstances 

 permitted. Numerous tufts of tambooti grass, dead hut not 

 yet decayed, were noticed, and in gaps still persisting were a 

 few living tufts, i)roving clearly the succession from veld to 

 forest. 



Mr. Aloller, junior, was able to confirm this by stating tluit 

 some ten years i)reviously he often used to hunt duikers in the 

 grass, which at that time was abundant amongst scattered Leuco- 

 sidca scricca shrubs. With the exception of some large gai)s. all 

 the grasses are now dead, and the area has com])letely passed 

 over from open veld, first to scattered Leucosidca scrul). and 

 finally to the type of close forest common in the neighbourliood. 



riie transition may be represented as follows : — 



Grasses. 



(jrasses with Grasses with Pro- X'eld grasses disappear- 



Profeas, leas, Cussonia. ing, being replace<1 b\ 



Cussonia, Cclastrus. Leucosidca, ferns ancl bush gra<se>. 



Cclastrus, Myrsine, Lianes, and Lcncosidca being 



Leucosidca, seedlings of varit)us suj)pressed I)y forest 



Myrsine forest trees. trees and shrubs. 

 africana. 



