i84 



FOREST PK(K;RI:SS I\ TIIK DHAKIiXSr.liRG. 



Complete forest state 

 with existing species 

 all represented. 



I'^orest t;rasses and weeds. 

 Dead Lcucosidea. Myrsiiic 

 africana persisting. Forest 

 trees and shrubs, such as 

 Myrsiiic niclanophlcos, Oliiiia, 

 Yrllo'ci'^voods, Cassiiiopsis, etc. 



Another type of transition was observed at a lower eleva- 

 tion, and differs somewhat from the foregoing, ]irincipally 1)\- 

 the absence of Myrsiiic africana. 



Almost immediately opposite the homestead is a forest on 

 a steep slope, which about twenty years previouslx' was separ- 

 ated by an interval of veld 200 yards wide into two distinct 

 patches. The two original patches are clearly visible at the 

 present time by reason of the larger and older trees they con- 

 tain. In the intervening forest Lcucosidea. is still visible where 

 it has not been suppressed by forest trees and shrubs. The 

 transition from veld to grass in the upper part is similar to that 

 already stated, but at the lower elevation, and along the 



old rore^f' 





X = Oliver Wa/f/e 



Stream bank and a short distance from it, the succession 

 is different, though the difference in elevation is not nnich more 

 tlian 300 feet. T\\e whole area has been i)rotccted \r^^\\^ fire — 

 parts along the stream were cultivated lands at one time. As 

 in the former instance. Lcucosidea scricca is the principal shrub 

 w'hich makes its a})pearance in the veld, lis work in the sup- 

 pression of the grasses is helped by other species, such as Bud- 

 dlcia sah'-iacfolia and i'hiliaiitliiis aitriciilafa. That the work of 

 extension is progressing rapidly was evidenced from a study of 

 the perimeter. Immense numbers of seedlings of Lcucosidea 

 were observed in all stages of (levelo])ment. Under its pro- 

 tecting care were observed Myrsiiic niclanophlcos. Acacia caffra. 

 Dais, Ilctcroinorpha arborcsccns. Cassiuopsis, Cussonia, Tri- 

 mcria, Plcclrouia, llallcria. Oliiiia, Nhaiiius, etc., and some Acacia 

 dcalhata. i 1k' absence, generally s])eaking. i<\ Myrsiiic africana 

 was noted in the lower elevation, but it was here and there 

 sparingly re()resented. 



The evidence of Mr. Moller as to the extension of the forest 

 I have no reason to doitbt, for the succession as outlined is quite 



