KNYSNA FOREST 247 



of various evergreen trees with a glossy foliage, due to 

 a rainfall amounting to 36 inches yearly and spread over 

 the whole year; epiphytes and climbers abound in 

 portions of them, as in the warm temperate rain- forests. 

 This timber belt is intermediate between the medi- 

 terranean and the subtropical rain-forests. There is 

 a remarkable parallel between the central valley of 

 Chile with its mediterranean vegetation and the temper- 

 ate rain-forest on the south of it, and the sequence of 

 the Cape and extreme South African forest region. The 

 Knysna forest was more extensive in former days ; its 

 area has been greatly reduced by the axe and the fire, and, 

 as usual, the early mistakes now cost much money and 

 energy to repair. Reafforestation is more difficult 

 and more costly than would have been a wise husband- 

 ing of the natural resources. 



Kaffraria. Crossing the Drakenberg, one descends 

 into Kaffraria. This region consists of a succession of 

 broad terraces open to the south-east winds and possesses 

 a fairly abundant rainfall, the effect of which is here 

 again partly counteracted by the winds. The northern 

 and upper parts are covered with a park vegetation of 

 a warm temperate type. Woods are not uncommon 

 among the northern hills ; but they assume the form of 

 dense jungles of slender, twisted, and distorted trees of 

 smajl stature, giving the impression of overgrown elfin 

 woods. Upon the mountains are found two conifers, 

 podocarpus and ividdringtonia. For the most part, 

 however, the middle and upper terraces support park 

 or bush grass-lands, where acacias, aloes, and proteas 

 predominate, and form excellent pasture grounds, not 

 unlike those of Texas. Winters are dry and cool, and 

 last from May to July. Many bulbous plants, varied 

 shrubs, and perennials are found interspersed among the 



