86 
PLANTS IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA 
as like the hide of an elephant ; Toddallia lanceolata ; Olea 
chrysophylla (Mutamayu) ; Olea hochstetteri (Mnsharage) ; 
Nuxia congesta (Muchorowe). Several species of Plectranthus 
form the carpet of the forest ; along the line flourish species 
of Pentas, Celsia, Helianthus, Myosotis, Achroclyne, Thun- 
bergia. Warburgia trees cease before Escarpment station is 
reached, and only reappear again about three miles from 
Limoru. As soon as the summit of the Kikuyu Escarpment, 
about 8000 feet, is reached, a marked change in the vegetation 
takes place occasioned by the increased rainfall. The eastern 
side of the Escarpment being exposed to the South-east winds 
receives a very much heavier rainfall than the western side. 
Juniper ceases at the summit and is replaced by Podocarpus 
milanjianus; Calodendron, Olea chryso'phylla, and Nuxia also 
disappear, but are replaced by a host of other trees — Pygeum 
africanum (Mueri) ; Allophyllum abysinnicum (Mushami) ; 
Weihea africana (Musaizi) ; Mcaranga sp. (Mutundu) ; Hepta- 
pleurum sp. (Mutati) ; Dombeya nairobensis (Mukao) ; Elaeo- 
dendron sp. (Mutanga). Nuxia congesta reappears again at 
Limoru, 7468 feet, and flourishes as low down as 6000 feet, 
when it ceases. 
After passing the summit, the line skirts the Lari swamp, 
which at certain seasons presents a fine piece of colour with 
the yellow and red-hot pokers Knifhofias ( K . Thompsonii). On 
the drier ground above the swamp Thunbergia alata flourishes 
and is very conspicuous with its large golden-yellow blooms. 
Across the swamp can be seen groups of Bamboo ( Arundinaria 
alpina), and a fleeting vision of the tree ferns may be had ; 
after passing the swamp the line again passes through forest, 
but of a very much more luxuriant type than that on the other 
side of the Escarpment. 
The wild bananas ( Musa Livingstonia) show out in bold 
relief to the comparatively small-leaved trees of the forest, 
the shining Magnolia -like leaves of Tabernaemontana abys- 
sinica (Muwele) are also conspicuous. 
Along the side of the track may be seen Viola abyssinica ; 
Myosotis abyssinica ; Glycine javanica ; Thalictrum rhyncho- 
carpum ; Sparmannia abyssinica ; Thunbergia alata ; bright 
blue Plectranthus ; blue Commelina, and here and there is a 
