240 Mr J. Buchanan on the Vegetation 



derived from a species oi Flacourtia ; and another, 3Iatinaka, 

 is only found on the mountains at or above the 4000 feet 

 leveh Ugulukututu, derived from Vangueria ivfausta^ might 

 be profitably cultivated. While the shells of Styslin are 

 used for utensils, such as drinking-cups or sugar-bowls, the 

 fruit is eaten. The natives now bring in great quantities 

 of Rubus 7'igida from the water-courses to the European 

 settlements, to barter for beads or calico. 



Floioering Plants. — The Leguminosce^ in special, afford 

 many showy plants suited to European greenhouses. Such 

 plants as Teplirosict Vogeli, T. purpurea, or Clematis Kirkii, 

 would make an imposing appearance in any collection ; as 

 also would several species of Crotalaria a.nd SoUdago, Hibis- 

 cus and Abutilon. Domheya Burgessice is a handsome 

 slirub ; while Lobelia Milleri enlivens the banks of 

 streams, and Buphane toxicaria abounds at the close of 

 the dry season and the beginning of the rains. Various 

 species of Convolvidus and JporiKEa display their flowers in 

 the bushes and trees. A very fine Crinum, as well as a 

 few Amaryllidece, are found; but the Liliacece are not worth 

 growing. There are twenty to thirty species of ground or- 

 chids, some with sweet odours, but I have not come across 

 an epiphyte worthy of home cultivation. On the contrary, 

 some species of Thunbergia merit attention by the home 

 cultivator ; but I have hitherto failed to obtain seeds of 

 these. Datura alba is grown near the native villages, as 

 the leaves of it are used to render the native beer intoxi- 

 cating. Helichrysum and Alyssum grow abundantly at 

 the top of Mount Zomba, where also a fine Polygala, with 

 flowers distinct in colour from the surrounding vegetation, 

 has a fine effect. Here, too, are found handsome tree- 

 ferns. Adiantum, Asplenium, and Pteris are the common 

 ferns of the district. The grasses will afford a rich 

 field to the botanical collector. A Selaginella is found 

 in damp shady places by streams and on the mountain 

 sides. 



Economic Plants. — The district abounds in such plants, 

 though meanwhile the present high freights coastwise 

 prevent the exportation of its products. Eubber can be 

 got, though not in quantity. As Indigofera tinctoria 

 grows wild throughout the district, indigo planting may 



