THE SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. 133 



masses, encircling the truLks of the trees. It 

 retains much moisture in its dead, sterile fronds, 

 which form large scales, rising one over another ; 

 it generally grows on the upper portions of the 

 trunks of the Casnarince, (called "oaks" in 

 Australia,) and in stormy weather they are 

 sometimes thrown down by the weight of water 

 and vegetable matter thus accumulated above 

 them. Not the least remarkable circumstance 

 in Australian vegetation is, that scarce any 

 edible fruits, grain, or vegetables, have as yet 

 been found native there. 



The flora of South Africa differs very re- 

 markably from that of most other parts of our 

 globe, but most resembles that of Australia. 

 The soil is sometimes gravelly, sometimes sand 

 arid clay, and stretches to an unknown distance 

 into the interior. During the summer it is 

 dry and parched, many even of the rivers dis- 

 appear, and but few plants are seen, except 

 succulent-leaved mesembryanthemums,etc., and 

 stunted mimosas. The effect of rain is, however, 

 like magic ; in a short time, the ground is 

 covered with a vast variety of beautiful plants, 

 great numbers of which are peculiar to the 

 district. Twelve thousand species of plants 

 have been collected in the colony of the Cape 

 of Good Hope, among which heaths, proteas, 

 geraniums, and everlasting flowers, hold a con- 

 spicuous place. 



" Gay plants on every side 

 Unclose their lovely blooms, 

 And scatter far and wide 

 Their ravishing perfumes." 



12 



