rotundifolia, D. natalensis, Cryptocarya spp., Halleria hicida, Schmidelia africana, with 

 some smaller species such as Myaris inceqicalis, Cluytia sp. } Heteromorpha arborescens, 

 Leucosidea sericea, Sfc. 



A sample area, selected to represent the average of the forest, was found to cover 

 2'92 acres. 59 trees measured within were estimated to contain 3,842 cubic feet of 

 sound logwood, and the standing stock per acre consisted of : 



6 Outeniqua Yellow wood ... ... 603 cubic feet. 



7 Camdeboo Stink wood ... ... 426 



2 Sneezewood ... ... ... 114 



2 Wild Chesnut ... ... 105 



2 Natal Mahogany ... ... 41 



2 Other Woods ... ... 81 ,, 



21 trees, containing 1,370 



This yield per acre compares favourably with that of the best Cape forests, but it is 

 greatly exceeded in other parts of the Polela district. 



The Mahutywa forest is being destroyed rapidly by the Natives. The young growth 

 has already been entirely cleared for wattles. Troops of Native women appear to be 

 constantly cutting and removing timber for firewood without let or hindrance. The 

 firewood is made up into bundles and carried to the adjoining location, the path to which 

 should be closed if the forest is to be preserved. At the foot of the forest, mealie gardens 

 eat into the boundary everywhere, and all the forest ground that is not too steep is 

 gradually cleared for cultivation. Inside the forest, Natives fell large trees for firewood 

 by burning round the roots, and the fire usually spreads some distance round if the bush 

 is dry. Grass fires have also caused much damage in the western end of the forest. 



There are two forests towards the Polela River, with an area estimated at 1,750 

 acres, in which sawing was formerly carried. Nearer to the Umkomaas, there is also 

 a patch of forest about 500 acres in area, covering south-eastern slopes in the kloof 

 below Colvill's Hill, and surrounded by mealie gardens wherever cultivation is practicable. 

 These forests resemble the Mahutywa, excepting that stinkwood is now found in some 

 abundance, probably owing to the greater elevation (5,000 5,500 feet). 



FORESTS BEYOND DROKK VLEI. Returning towards the Coast, several forests 

 are met with in the valley of the Umzimkulu. The Hlabeni Forest is situated about 

 two miles East of the river, between the farm " Dudwick " and Location No. 1, Upper 

 Umkomanzi. A flat-topped hill is crowned by rocky cliffs, from the foot of which 

 the forest spreads downwards on south slopes, generally steep, and in some places almost 

 inaccessible. The area is about 15,000 acres, and the mean altitude 4,500 feet. The 

 chief timber trees are the Upright and Outeniqua Yellow woods, Stinkwood, Bogabog 



