40 
PLANTS IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA 
After crossing the Yoi river the line traverses the waterless 
district known as the Tarn desert, which extends practically 
as far as Samburu (914 feet). From here towards the coast 
the climate comes under the influence of the ocean, and in 
consequence becomes more and more green and fertile as the 
sea is approached. 
Small bushes of the Adenium coetaneum make themselves 
conspicuous along the line by their thick succulent stems 
resembling miniature baobab trees and their bright red 
azalea-like flowers ; fine specimens of a cycad, Encephalartos 
sp., can be seen at intervals between Samburu and Maji ya 
Chumvi; the large yellow Hibiscus and a white Pentas are 
conspicuous, and also very common is the Solanum campyla- 
canthum. About half-way between Maji ya Chumvi and 
Mazeras stations the branching Dom palms are first seen, and 
they rapidly become the principal feature in the landscape ; 
associated with them are the small trees of Dalbergia melan - 
oxylon (ebony), Bauhinia reticulata, and the wild custard 
apple, Anona senegalensis. As Mazeras is approached a fine 
Borassus aethiopium may be seen some way to the left of 
the line, with its characteristic bottle-shaped stem. Cocoanut 
palms now begin to appear, and by the time Mazeras Station 
is reached they are very abundant. Between Mazeras (534 
feet) and Mombasa practically little variation takes place in 
the flora. Along the line may be seen Oldenlandia abyssinica , 
with its small bright red flowers appearing above the grass ; 
Heinsia densiflora, with its pure white flowers, Hibiscus sp., 
Thespesia populnea ; in pools the blue Nymphaea lotus ; on many 
of the Dom palms the fine yellow and brown Orchis Ansella. 
Of trees, Afzelia cuanzensis (Mbembakofe) ; Dalbergia melan - 
oxylon (ebony); Bauhinia reticulata; Anona senegalensis ; 
Syzygium jambolana (Msambarao) ; Tamarindus indica, which 
is here indigenous ; Artocarpus integrifolia ; Anacardium 
occidental ; Zizyphus jujuba (Mkunasi) ; Mangifera indica, 
are conspicuous. 
On crossing the Makupa bridge mangrove trees, growing 
in all their luxury, may be noted ; the chief species to be seen 
are Bhizophora mucronata, Brugueira gymnorhiza, and Avi- 
cennia officinalis. 
