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for running the locomotives on the railways of the Katanga, in 
the absence of local supplies of coal and its consequent cost. 
The question of the possible utilization of these large supplies 
of wood, in the preparation of charcoal, wood-distillation products, 
and paper pulp, is worth investigation. 
Edible seeds.—The seeds of B. edulis are said to be eaten by 
the natives of the Batoka Highlands of N.W. Rhodesia, and 
according to Sim, those of B. (Bragaei?), also, are edible. 
Fodder.—The pods of B. Woodiana are said to be a favourite 
food of elephants (Rand). 
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE BRACHYSTEGIA FOREST. 
The main Brachystegia forest occupies the northern belt of that 
great tract of Savannah Forest which extends from Mafeking and 
the Magaliesberg northward to the great Congo Basin which forms 
such an effective barrier to plant-migration. Broadly speaking, 
it is similar in aspect and general character (though not in 
botanical composition) to the “ Bushveld” of the Transvaal, 
Bechuanaland and Southern Rhodesia south of the Zambesi- 
Limpopo watershed. 
The deciduous period of the Brachystegia forest is very 
brief—perhaps not more than two or three weeks of winter (at 
the end of July and beginning of August). A striking feature of 
the forest at this period is the beautiful leaf-colouring of some 
species of Brachystegia. This varies from pale green, light green 
and olive green, through yellow, bronze, brown, red and scarlet 
to delicate shades of pink and purple. As lighted up by the 
afternoon sun against a background of dark green forest, the 
effect is extremely beautiful, and one never to be forgotten. 
A peculiar and interesting feature of this phenomenon is that 
it is the tender spring foliage which assumes these rich tints, 
whereas in the north temperate zone it is the autumn foliage of 
the oaks, maples, etc., which produces such brilliant colouring. 
And whereas the adult Brachystegia leaves are usually more or 
less chartaceo-coriaceous in texture, the young foliage is so thin 
and translucent that De Wildeman named a specimen in that 
early stage as variety papyracea of B. Hockit 
The Brachystegia forest affords but little a despite the 
comparatively dense growth of trees, and the ground beneath is — 
well covered with grass and herbaceous or whitch vegeta- 
tion. There is little or no bush undergrowth, except on cut-over 
ground. The trees are scattered at intervals of 6 to 12, 20 or 
30 ft., rarely more, sometimes less, according to age and size, 
or the character of the soil. They are as a rule slender for their 
height, par hes from 8 ins. to 3 ft. in Sere ee 
attaining to 4 ft. and, rarely, even to 5 ft. ir height is 
usually about 50 ft., on some soils only 20 bg on deep rich 
soils the trees attain a height of 75 or 80 ft., but these larger 
trees usually represent other genera. The surface of the forest 
