208 FORESTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



Phoenix reclinata and Hyphcene crinita. Mimuso'ps caffra is 

 dominant in the southern part, and there are various species of 

 Aloe and Euphorbia. The northern portion of this area is more 

 tropical in character, presenting dense bush and swamp forests 

 of mangroves composed of Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora^ 

 mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Ceriops candolliana, with 

 Raphia vinifera. The coconut palm {Cocos nucifera) is often a 

 dominant feature of the landscape. 



3. Prominent Timbers and other Produce. 

 Timbers. 



(1) The Yellowwoods are large trees of the first economic 

 importance up to 120 feet high with little taper, a superior 

 substitute for imported pine. The timber is rather harder and 

 heavier than the latter, stronger, and of better appearance ; used 

 for a great variety of purposes. It is the most abundant species 

 in the forests, but it has been heavily cut. 



(2) Stink wood is a large evergreen tree up to 90 feet high and 

 5 feet diameter ; of first economic importance. Wood, heavy, 

 hard, very strong and durable in contact with the soil. Used for 

 a great variety of purposes, but the supply is limited. 



(3) Assegai, a smaller tree, up to 60 feet high, 1| feet diameter. 

 Wood very hard, heavy, moderately strong. Used principally 

 as a waggon wood. Supply limited. 



(4) Black Ironw^ood is a large tree up to 90 feet high. Wood 

 very hard, heavy and strong. Used for waggon work, piles, 

 bridges, telegraph poles, and railway sleepers. Supply rather 

 limited. 



(5) White Pear, an important tree, up to 70 feet high. Best 

 wood for felloes in waggon construction. 



(6) Sneezewood, a small tree up to 50 feet high. Wood very 

 strong, permeated with an oily substance which makes it very 

 durable in contact with the ground. White ant and Teredo 

 resistant. 



(7) Cape Box, small tree up to 20 feet high. Exported to 

 Britain and used in place of Buxus sempervirens. 



Other Produce. 



(1) Wattle Bark, obtained from Acacia decurrens var. mollis, 

 introduced from Australia about 50 years ago. To-day about 



