Botany in South Africa

Abstract

ON Nov. 10, Dr. Arthur W. Hill, who has since had the honour of K.C.M.G. conferred upon him, landed in Cape Town, on the invitation of the Government of the Union of South Africa, for the purpose of making personal contact with botanical affairs in the country. After spending some ten days in Cape Town, Sir Arthur Hill proceeded by the “Garden Route "to the forests of George and Knysna, proceeding from there to Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, and East London, and then travelling to Bloemfontein and Fauresmith. At the latter place Sir Arthur saw the work which is being carried out at the recently established Karroo Pasture Station. He described this station as the most remarkable which he had seen in the course of his travels throughout the world. Here the semi-desert shrubs which form the vegetation covering the great Karroo areas were being investigated as regards their palatability, carrying capacity, and food value. From Fauresmith Sir Arthur Hill proceeded eastwards over the Drakensberg Range via Van Reenen's Pass and Ladysmith to Pietermaritz-burg, from which place he travelled to Durban. From Durban he went to Pretoria and, after spending ten days there, travelled north to the Woodbush Mountains, and this completed his tour in the Union.