122 TROPICAL SAVANAS 
owing to the great power of the sun, bush fires are 
frequent, and often have devastating effects. 
The type of vegetation naturally varies in the 
different regions in which savanas occur. In Africa 
the mighty baobab (Adansonia digitata) is conspicuous 
among the trees. It stores water in its thick trunk, 
of, 
Fic. 34. Savana, with scattered acacias, on the margin of the desert 
in Kordofan. (Photo by Capt. Lloyd.) 
and becomes leafless in the dry season. Other important 
trees are thorny acacias, whose foliage is relished by the 
giraffe, various species of cactus-like Euphorbia, palms, 
and so forth. Various kinds of grasses occur, and often 
grow to a great height, forming dense thickets, which 
offer much shelter, while thorny and xerophilous plants 
are of course frequent. In the savanas of the other 
