204 THE AFRICAN SUGAR CANE. 
seen whether we can, by adopting proper measures, 
obtain hybrids between the imphee and the sugar cane. 
DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF THE IMPHEE, ETC. 
I am acquainted with fifteen varieties of the Holcus 
saccharatus, although I doubt not there are yet others 
in different parts of the world that have not come under 
my notice. 
I shall, therefore, confine my remarks to the fifteen 
varieties ; and to prevent the constant repetition of their 
botanical name, I shall, throughout these pages, use their 
Zulu-Kaffir name of Imphee alone. 
Among Europeans residing in South Africa no dis- 
tinction is known in regard to the varieties, and there 
they will be much surprised at learning that there are 
really fifteen different kinds of imphee growing before 
their eyes, and constantly being eaten by them. 
There is certainly that degree of similarity between 
them when seen growing together which is quite suffi- 
cient to puzzle any one who has not thoroughly studied 
them ; and this is so much the case that there are very 
few male Kaffirs even who can discriminate between 
some of the varieties; in consequence of which I had 
very frequently to call in the superior agricultural knowl- 
edge of the old Kaffir women, until I had learned to dis- 
tinguish between them with certainty myself. 
When I had attained this first most desirable step, I 
had next to learn their several peculiarities and value ; 
which I was able to do with greater exactness by plant- 
ing the seed, watching them daily during their growth, 
