342 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



are deemed worthy of publication as a contribution to a body of 

 facts from which in time valuable inferences may be drawn. As 

 will be evident, much of the information contained in this paper 

 is furnished by correspondents who are able to pay frequent visits to 

 one or other of the forms considered, and to whom I am deeply 

 indebted. 



The species studied are Encephalartos Friderici Guilielmi, 

 Lehm., E. Altensteinii, Lehm., E. villosus ) Lem., and a species 

 of Stangeria. 



Encephalaetos Friderici Guilielmi, Lehm.* 

 (Plate VI., fig. 1.) 



The species which is believed to bear this name is abundant on 

 the dolerite ridges in the Queenstown and Cathcart districts. It 

 does not extend further north than Hangklip (6,500 ft.), and can be 

 followed in a southerly direction almost as far as the eastern 

 continuation of the Amatola range. Drege collected specimens on 

 the Windvogelberg, a long ridge which overhangs the town of 

 Cathcart. These were apparently identified by Lehmann as 

 E. Friderici Guilielmi [fide De Candolle), which was later reduced 

 to E. cycadifolius (Zamia cycadifolia, Jacq.). While, however, 

 Lehmann's figures and description of the cones of E. Friderici 

 •Guilielmi contain nothing which would exclude those of the species 

 now under consideration, the description of E. cycadifolius as 

 given by De Candolle is not applicable to them. It seems, therefore, 

 that the name should be retained for this species, though the point 

 must remain doubtful until reference can be made to literature not 

 accessible in South Africa. 



This species is a marked sun-plant growing under conditions 

 of extreme insolation. Occasionally, as, for example, on the steep 

 banks of the Thomas Eiver near the railway bridge, it is found in 

 the neighbourhood of water, but in all cases its habitat is such as to 

 demand a high degree of adaptation to xerophytic conditions. The 

 plant branches freely, chiefly from the subterranean part of the 

 stem, and consequently the occurrence of "clumps" consisting of 

 plants of various sizes is very characteristic. The trunk attains a 

 height of 12 to 15 ft., and then gradually falls over to a recumbent 

 or prostrate position, in which it still produces new leaves and cones 

 apparently as readily as when it stood erect. Branching sometimes 

 occurs above ground (Plate VI., fig. 1). The removal of a thin layer of 



* In the study of this species I have received much valuable assistance from my 

 friend Mr. E. E. Galpin, F.L.S., of Queenstown. 



