60 
labra, laevia ; vaginae superiores superne tumidulae, infimae diu 
persistentes, fuscae ; ligulae ad ciliola redactae ; laminae foliorum 
basalium lineares, longae, acutatae, 2-3 cm. longae, rigidulae, 
superne vel tota longitudine involutae, foliorum caulinorum multo 
breviores. Panicula dense contracta, 1-2 cm. longa, oblonga ; 
rhachis ramique parce minutissime tuberculati et ad nodos 
pubescentes ; rami ramulique 2-nodi, capillares, rigiduli, scaberuli 
(saltem ramuli), rami infimi ad 2 cm. longi; pedicelli inaequales, 
3-1 mm. longi, scaberuli. Spiculae stramineae, congestae, ad 4 mm. 
longae. Glumae oblique lanceolatae, acutae, subchartaceae, glabrae, 
nitidulae, l-nerves, subaequales. Valvae oblongo-lanceolatae (a 
latere) subacuminatae, submucronulatae, 3 mm. longae, mem- 
branaceae, in dorso et ad margines basin versus pilosulae, obscure 
5-nerves ; paleae quam valvae paulo breviores, 2-nerves. 
outH ArFrica. Cape Colony: Barkly East Division; slope 
of Ben McDhui (Wittebergen), 2955 m., (ralpin, 6915. 
X.—FORESTS OF THE GOLD COAST. 
The recently issued Report on the Forests of the Gold Coast* 
by Mr. H. N. Thompson, Conservator of Forests, Southern 
Nigeria, demands careful perusal and attention since the general 
principles laid down are applicable not to the Gold Coast only but 
to tropical forests in general. ‘ 
The Report occupies 238 pages and is divided into three parts 
with an appendix, list of vernacular names, twenty-four plates and 
a comprehensive index. 
In the first part the various forest areas of the Gold Coast are 
described in detail, the value of their component trees is discussed 
and suggestions are made for their preservation or exploitation. 
Mr. Thompson is careful to point out the prime importance of the 
Forest to t e Gold Coast Colony, and brings forward many illustra- 
tions of the irreparable damage which is being done by the reckless 
felling of trees, in connection principally with clearings for native 
cultivation. Before making any detailed comments on the first part 
the second and more general part of the Report may be considered. 
his is in some ways the most important portion and certainly the 
part of most interest to the general reader. 
The importance of Forests is so well stated that the para-_ 
ne physical and climatic 
mm from the report 
climate more equable. 
‘2. They exert a marked effect in regulating the water supply, 
more especially by ensuring the sustained feeding of springs and 
thus rendering the flow of water in rivers more continuous, and in 
tending to reduce the danger of violent floods. 
*e G ‘ : 
Ro. See omy Report on Forests by Mr. H. N. Thompson—Col. Rep. Mise. 
t Thompson lL.c., p. 102. 
