34 
A sample of bark was collected by Forester Van de Vijver from the Ngadu Patrol, 
and he writes: “‘ This bark is used as medicine by some natives, but not all. In cases 
of calves being thin, they dose the animal with it powdered and mixed with other roots, 
also lambs.” Forester Dawson submitted a sample of bark from the Amanzamnyama 
Patrol, with the note: “ Bark has a slightly bitter taste. JI have only seen one tree in 
my patrol and very few natives know it here. They do not seem to use it themselves, 
but on their cattle for gall-sickness after boiling bark and dosing from one to two bottles.” 
Forester Fegen collected samples of bark from the Notinsela Patrol, and reported : ‘“‘ Bark 
has a slightly bitter taste. Natives state that the bark is used as a medicine for hysteria, 
which is common amongst the native girls. Other natives state that it is used indis- 
criminately for both cattle and human beings. Judging by the number of trees barked, 
it must be used more extensively for medicine than natives will admit.” 
Forester Kriel, who collected the species in the Wilo Forest, Mqanduli District, reports 
it to be a tree about 25 ft. high with a girth of 42 in. 
The tree is locally known as “ Bitter Bark ` and “ Bastard Sneezewood ” and by the 
natives as “ Endiaza” or “ Andianda.” 
B. Swinnyi. 
Forester Swinny reports this species to be a tree up to 90 ft. high, with a stem 
diameter of 2-3 ft., and not common at Port St. Johns. He further states that there 
appears to bet vs forms of the species which the natives distinguish, though they have 
only one name, `` Sendiandia.”” The smaller form, when full grown, has a trunk 1-14 ft. 
in diameter. 
Mr. Robertson first detecte d the difference in the barks of this species and B. tysomana, 
and noted that the bark had “a strong bitter taste producing a sort of burning sensation 
in the mouth lasting for several hours, during which I could taste nothing else distinctly.” 
He forwarded a sample of the bark to the Imperial Institute in March, ‘1915. Mr. Ross, 
then Conservator in the Eastern Conservancy, writes :* ‘* I distinctly remember this tree 
being pointed out to me many years ago when stationed at Kokstad as being of value 
medicinally, an infusion of the bark being extensively used by the natives for certain 
ailments. It is found somewhat sparingly throughout the mid-Pondoland forests and 
close to the Natal border in the Mount Ayliff District. It is a very conspicuous object 
in the forests, of large girth, with deeply furrowed bark, and with foliage not unlike 
sneezewood. It is usually unsound near the base and shows signs of much damage by 
removal of bark. This tree is by some foresters confused with * Coffee Pear ’ (Pleurostylia 
capensis), but a keen observer will easily distinguish a great difference.” 
Forester Pretorius collected samples of bark from “the Cwebe Patrol and supplied 
the following information :—** Bark has a slightly bitter taste (Mr. Robertson remarks 
‘but burning taste’). The bark of this tree in these parts is very thin and can only be 
removed in small bits. The natives use it for different medicines, but they refuse to say 
what it is really used for.” Specimens of bark from the Port St. Johns Patrol were 
received with similar information to the above; in each case Mr. Robertson noted the 
burning taste, more so in some specimens than in others. 
B. Stayneri. 
This species was sent to Mr. Robertson by Forester C. W. Chilvers in June, 1915. 
Mr. Robertson noted the differences between these specimens and B. tysoniana as follows :— 
1. Bark has not got the “ strong bitter taste ” which I referred to in the case of 
one of the specimens from the Transkei (i.e. B. Swynm E.P.P.). 
2. Under sides of the leaves and the petioles are very hairy, whereas they are 
glabrous on specimens recéived from the Transkei. 
3. The specimens were in flower when collected in May. Sim states that this 
species ¢ flowers in August to September. 
* It is just possible that some of Mr. Ross’s remarks may apply to B. tysoniana. 
+ Mr. Robertson, although he noted these differences, still considered the plant B. tysoniana. 
