Floiucring Plants and Ferns of the Cai^e Peninsula. 213 



station at Kenilworth, Wynberg, during thirteen years (1889-1901) 

 the maximum annual fall was 63*08 in. ; the minimum, 32*30 in. The 

 proportionate fall during the several seasons appears to be more 

 regular. Nearly three-fourths (at Kenilworth, Wynberg, during 

 thirteen years, the mean proportion was 73 per cent.) of the total 

 annual fall takes place in the five months May-September, in- 

 clusive. During the remaining seven months, and especially in 

 January- April, the fall is very deficient, and the surface soil, in dry 

 years, becomes extremely dry ; until, at varying dates in April-May, 

 the winter rains again set in. Snow or sleet occasionally, or rarely, 

 falls on Table Mountain, but not in every year, and rapidly vanishes. 



Thunderstorms are uncommon, comparatively slight, and of short 

 duration. 



The prevailing winds are in the winter months from W. to N. W. ; 

 in the summer months from S. to S.E. ; and often blow with con- 

 siderable force. 



Aspect of the Vegetation. 



The prevailing aspect of the vegetation, apart from the modifica- 

 tions effected by the hand of man, is that of a number of low- 

 growing shrubs, of a dark or bluish-green hue. At a distance these 

 appear to be growing closely, but this is not generally the case. 

 The mountain-sides on the north and west mostly appear barren 

 and dry, except for a month or two in early spring, an appearance 

 ■due to the absence of turf. But on the eastern sides they are of a 

 more luxuriant green, and everywhere the deep and steep ravines 

 are clothed with groves of dark-foliaged dwarf trees and shrubs, 

 few of which attain a greater height than 20 feet to 30 feet, and 

 many even less. Amongst them may be named the genera : — 

 Scolopia, Kiggelaria, Greiuia, Ilex, GynmosjJoria, Pterocelastrus, 

 Cassine, Hartogia, SciUia, Noltea, Blms, Virgilia, Cunonia, Olinia, 

 Curtisia, Plectronia, Myrsine, Sideroxylon, Boyena, Olea, Brahejum, 

 Podocarpns, &c. On the open mountain-sides and foot-hills are also 

 some of the foregoing, together with more scattered bushes, and 

 especially numerous Proteace^ : Leucadendron, Protea, Leuco- 

 spermum. The well-known Leucadendron argenteum, or " Silver- 

 tree," is a prominent feature in some parts, growing in a zone 

 between about 400 feet to 1,000 feet above the sea ; Leucospermum 

 conocarpum is still frequent, but of late years has been much 

 destroyed for firewood. 



On the lower foot-hills and on the Flats the bulk of the vegetation 

 consists of small shrubs, of which one of the chief peculiarities, 



