378 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



region lying north of the Karroo region, but not extending to the Orange 

 River except at the extreme east and west, has a flora in some respects 

 similar to that of the Lower Karroo region, but Composites abound, some 

 of which furnish excellent food for stock. 



5. The Kalahari Region is the name which Dr. Bolus gives to the 

 large tract of land lying to the north of the Composite Region, west of 

 the Natal Region and south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The western 

 coast strip is a weird desert producing the curious Welwitschia on I stony 

 ground among the sand dunes, and the Naras, or Acanthosicyos horrida. 

 The latter is one of the Calabas family. It has roots as large as a man's 

 arm and 50 feet or more in length. They push down until they find 

 water below the sand of the desert. The rigid green stems have opposite 

 thorns in the axils of reduced leaves. Growing in sandy places, the 

 winds sweep over and often completely bury the stems. The stems push 

 quickly up, and the sandhills are often built upon the plants, in the centre. 

 A bitter juice protects all parts but the sweet juicy fruits, which are eaten 

 by jackals and Hottentots. 



To the east and north the region is largely a grass country. The 

 tufts of grass grow to a great height. Between the months of November 

 and February large tracts of grass look like fields of corn. Maize 

 reaches a height of 8 to 13 feet, and it becomes necessary to cut down 

 the stalks in order to get at the grain. 



