100 



Annual rings average 0'14 inches in width, corresponding to an annnal increment in 

 girth of 0'85 inches. 



XLV1L CELASTRINE^E. 



38. Cafchastrum Capense, Turczaninow. 



Fl. Cap. vol. I., p. 526. 



Bastard Saffraan t Hard Pear. Kafir : um-Tumyalele. 



Eastern Province, North and South Drakensberg. Not scarce. 



A large tree 2-3 feet in diameter, 50-70 feet high. Bark yellow brown or dark, 

 thick, cracked irregularly. Wood heavy, hard, moderately strong and elastic, close 

 grained and compact ; with well-defined concentric wavy bands of soft tissue ; medullary 

 rays very fine, close ; pores small, numerous, irregularly distributed ; colour white or pale 

 yellow, tinged with pink ; used for wagonwood. 



39. Celastrus acuminatus, Linnseus. 



Fl. Cap. vol. I,, p. 454. Sylv. Cap. p. 8. 

 Silkbark. Dutch ; Zydebast, Kafir : um-Nama. 



Western Province, Knysna, Eastern Province, North Drakensberg ; in mountain 

 forests. 



A small tree 9-18 inches in diameter, 20-30 feet high. Bark dark brown, thin, even. 

 Wood very heavy, hard, strong, very close grained and compact, with close and narrow 

 concentric bands of white tissue ; medullary rays very fine and close ; pores very small, 

 irregularly distributed ; colour pale pink tinged with brown ; suitable for turner's work 

 and engraving. 



This species is easily known from a curious peculiarity of the leaves and bark, 

 which show numerous fine white silky threads when they are broken. 



40. Celastrus buxifolius, Linnaeus. 



Fl. Cap. vol. I., p. 459. Sylv. Cap. p. 9. 



Cape Town to the Drakensberg and the Transvaal, in some one of its numerous 

 varieties. 



A small spiny tree 6-9 inches in diameter, 10-15 feet high. Bark light brown, thin, 

 the surface even, exfoliating in pulverulent shreds. Wood heavy, hard, strong, tough, 

 close grained, with close concentric lines of soft tissue ; medullary rays very fine and 

 close ; pores very small ; annual rings not apparent ; colour reddish brown or yellow 

 suitable for tool handles, engraving, turnery, &c. 



41. Celastrus undatus, Thuuberg. 



Fl. Cap. vol. I., p. 457. Sylv. Gap. p. 8. 

 Dutch : Kolho doom. 



Eastern Province and North Drakensberg. 



A small tree 1-1 feet in diameter, 20-25 feet high. Bark grey, thin, even. Wood 

 very heavy, hard, close grained and compact ; used for wagonwork and other purposes. 



42. Pterocelastrus variabilis, Sender. 



Fl. Cap. vol. I., p. 462. Sylv. Cap. p. 9. 

 Dutch: Kershout. Kafir: i-Tywina. 



Swellendam, Knysna, Eastern Province, Kaffraria, South Drakensberg. 



A tree 1-2 feet in diameter, 30-40 feet high. Bark dark red-brown or black, thick, 

 .granular. Wood heavy, hard, close grained and compact ; with concentric bands of white 

 tissue, moderately fine and distant ; colour pink to red ; used for schamels and other 

 wagonwood, for posts ; and is an excellent firewood ; moderately durable. 



The wood, and especially the roots, are permeated with a kind of resin which cause 

 them to burn readily, hence the Dutch name ; this resin is used by Natives for cementing 

 assegai heads to the shafts. The bark contains tannic acid. 



