Effects of a Bush Fire on the Vegetation of Signal Hill. 
217 
Gorteria person at a (o). 
Pellaea auriculata (o). 
* Lobelia lutea (r). 
(* indicates that the plants were in flower.) 
In one spot an outcrop of slate was seen, and this was covered with 
crust aceous lichens. Associated with this rock were Mesembryanthemum 
asperum and Crassula muricata, both succulents, and it may be noted here 
that apart from these rock exposures succulents were rare. 
The outstanding feature of this first visit was the vigorous growth of 
aerial shoots in Asparagus capensis and Andropogon hirtus. Both these 
species had been burnt down to the ground ; but in spite of the fact that less 
than three weeks had elapsed since the fire, the whole hillside was dotted 
with these plants, their green colour being in vivid contrast with the pre- 
vailing blackness of the scene. In the case of Asparagus capensis many 
bushes were a foot and a half high. Both these species were more abundant 
on the southern slopes of each valley than elsewhere, and it was noted later 
that these slopes which are more exposed to sunlight than the northern 
slopes bear a more open type of vegetation. Another plant which was 
growing actively on the burnt area was Hibiscus aethiopicus, but owing to 
its small size it did not strike a conspicuous note, as was the case with the 
two other species. 
The next visit was paid about a month later, on the 20th March. The 
condition of the area was little changed. One plant of Asparagus capensis 
was in full flower, and it is of interest to note that the usual flowering period 
of this species (May to June) had been anticipated. Hibiscus aethiopicus 
was in flower all over the area. Besides these, Gladiolus brevifolius and 
Haemanthus coccineus were flowering, the latter being very conspicuous. 
In the following years (1920 and 1921) flowers of this plant were rarely found, 
and it seems safe to conclude that the fire must have induced the burst of 
activity in 1919. 
All over the hillside young shoots were being given off in profusion 
from the bases of the charred stems in the various species of Rhus which 
characterise these slopes. The following species were noted : — 
Rhus lucida (a). 
R. angustifolia (1, f). 
R. glauca (o). 
R. tomentosa (o). 
R. mucronata (o). 
R. rosmarinifolia (r). 
Other plants here and there were seen to be behaving in a similar fashion, 
