800 REPORT—1904. 
European forms belong to a larger group of related plants developed in Europe 
or in the northern temperate zone generally. 
From these I shall select for discussion principally forms which, not being 
represented in Egypt, are to be found only in Abyssinia or further south. 
1. Having carefully compared Luzula spicata (L.), DC., in a living state in 
different parts of Europe, and also the so-called Luzula spicata, var. vimensis, 
Hochst., in the Kilimanjaro, I come to the conclusion that the African plant must be 
separated, under the name Luzula abyssinica, Parlat, from the widely distributed 
L. spicata; that nevertheless the Luzula abyssinica has branched off from the 
L. spicata, which, passing to Abyssinia, suffered only few transformations; the 
inflorescence became erect, the basal axillary shoots were prolonged like stolons, 
and the cauline leaves became obtuse like the basal leaves. 
2. Also, L. campestris (L.), DC., var. Mannii, Buchenau on Cameroon Peak, 
and Z. Johnstonii, Buchenau, which must have branched off from Z. Forsterz, show 
deviations from the Kuropean types in the same direction as Luzula abyssinica 
from L. spicata. 
3. Anthozanthum nivale, K. Schum, growing on the Kilimanjaro in two forms 
at 2,700 m., above sea level, and from 3,700-3,900 m., near melting snow, can 
only have branched off from A. odoratum, which in Africa is only to be found in 
Algeria, and, a little transformed, in Uluguru; the plant has taken a peculiar 
course of development under the climatic conditions of the upper Kilimanjaro. 
A, Koeleria cristata (L.), Pers, is absent from the lower regions of tropical 
Africa, but it is to be found in Abyssinia, on Kilimanjaro, and the Cameroon Peak ; 
on the Kilimanjaro up to 4,500 m. We see, again, a plant which, having reached 
Africa from Europe, appears in varieties and forms somewhat different from those 
produced in Europe. 
5. Arabis albida, Steven, which came from Southern Europe to Abyssinia and 
the Kilimanjaro, is there extremely variable in size of stem and in form of leaves 
from the forest region upwards nearly to the uppermost limit of siphonogamic 
vegetation. 
6. Subularia monticola, A. Braun, in the highest parts of Abyssinia and close 
to the melting snow of the Kilimanjaro, is most nearly related to S. aquatica, L., 
in Europe. 
7. Stenophragma Thalianum (U.), Alak, has been very much modified in 
size in Abyssinia and on the Kilimanjaro. 
8. Cerastium caespitosum, Goldb., shows many modifications in the high 
mountains of Africa. 
All the species mentioned so far are closely allied to plants widely distributed 
in Europe, or more generally throughout the northern temperate zone of the 
Old World, growing there in the lower as well as the upper regions, whereas in 
Africa they are to be found only in the upper or uppermost belts. I think that 
immigration took place at some earlier date, during the pluvial epoch assumed 
by geologists. The differences to be seen in most of these highland forms, as com- 
pared with their relatives of the northern temperate zone, are always in harmony 
with the different climatic conditions. The highland flora of tropical Africa is 
not very rich in-peculiar components derived from types of the lower regions. 
This, again, is the cause of the enormous extension of a few species and the 
amount of yet tenantless ground in the upper regions. Such ground has been 
always at the disposal of any seed brought e wind or birds as long as it kept its 
power of germination. 
I may also be allowed to refer to some species of the forest region of 
tropical Africa which, being likewise nearly allied to those of the temperate zone, 
have undoubtedly not reached tropical Africa by man’s intervention, viz., Sanicula 
europea, var. elata (Hamilt.), Hook. f.; Sambucus ebulus, L., var. africanus, 
Engl. ; Veronica afrochamedrys, Engl.; Veronica abyssinica, Fresen. 
Further, I would mention the interesting fact that the well-known Populus 
euphratica, Olivier, of the Mediterranean region (in the broadest sense), has nearly 
reached the Equator, and has produced there the peculiar large-fruited sub-species 
Denhardtiorum, Eng. 
