356 



the leafless Senecio (Kleinia) longifloriis, Sch.-Bip., a Gommelina, 

 the white-flowered Capparid already seen elsewhere, a Bulbine and 

 many other bulbous plants including Buphane disticha, at least 

 two species of Asparagus, an Oxalis and an Aptosimum. A scarlet- 

 flowered Loranthus, growing on Acacia giraffae, is perhaps 

 identical with that which occurs so commonly on this and other 

 host plants in the Swakop valley at Haikamchab. This Acacia 

 bush-veld, with A. giraffae in the river-beds, seems to exteud 

 some 200 miles further east until, on the other side of the 

 Bechuanaland border, it meets the western boundary of the 

 Kalahari desert. 



The predominant geological formation in the vicinity of Windhuk 

 is mica-schist, large slabs of which are exposed on the steep hill- 

 sides. In these hills there are many perennial springs, some of 

 which yield hot water. Further north towards Okahandya the 

 hills are mainly granite. White-ant hills, tall and tapering, are a 

 feature of the scenery at higher levels. 



Introduced Plants— Among the aliens which have established 

 themselves at higher levels are Asclepias fruticosa, Linn., a 

 Mediterrane in immigrant now very widely spread in South 

 Africa ; an Opuntia which at Okahandya and elsewhere is used as 

 a hedge plant ; Ricinus communis, L., and Nicotiana glauca, 

 R. Grah. ; Boussingaultia baselloides, H. B. K., is commonly used 

 at all elevations as a climber for shade-producing purposes. At 

 Windhuk Nerium Oleander, Linn., Sc/u'nus Molle, Linn., and 

 Prosopis julifiora, DC, are largely planted for ornamental 

 purposes. 



Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry.— Writing of Barmen, 



40 years ago, Chapman records that " some date trees, planted by 

 Mr. Hahn, were in full bearing ; tobacco, onions, potatoes, beets, 

 water-melons, pumpkins, and other vegetables nourished beauti- 

 fully and wheat and barley are also grown." The cultivation of 

 the date-palm, while still in the experimental stage, is receiving 

 the careful attention of the Forest Department, and has already 

 been attended by encouraging results. Eucalyptus corynocalyx, 

 t. Muell., and E. rostrata, Schlecht., which are being raised on a 

 considerable scale in the forest nurseries at Okahandya and 

 Windhuk, are growing well in many parts of the country and are 

 designed to supply pit timber as the mining industry develops, 

 lne great expense of carrying coal from the coast makes it seem 

 probable that the cultivation of firewood for railway and other 

 purposes would prove a profitable undertaking. The afforestation 

 ot large tracts of the upper country with more valuable timber- 

 trees, introduced from elevated areas with summer rainfalls and 



dry winters, undoubtedly offers a promising field for forestal 

 enterprise. 



*w g /u Culture is P ractise(i only on a small scale, and it is probable 

 that the greater part of the country is not well suited for it. The 

 principal vegetable foods of the Hereros(or Damaras), who occupy 

 he central part of the Protectorate, have been ground-nuts 

 jmmmond-looke) and wild roots (Chapman); since the time of 



n^T 18 ?** 10 ? the y have almo8fc l<»t the art of soil-cultivation. 

 Mvamboland to the north is a r\oh 9<n .i,mit nra i ^i™ , n ,l is no 



