. British Central Africa; an attempt to give some account of a portion of the territories under British influence north of the Zambezi. Natural history. 2l8 BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA that tint. Still the grass of Central Africa is one of its great plagues. Between the months of November and February there grows up a monstrous herbage under the influence of the sun and rain. The grass stems will sometimes reach eight feet in height. Not only do many of their leaves cut like razors or stab like spears but in the autumn months of April and May their seeds ripen and in some cases seek distribution by
. British Central Africa; an attempt to give some account of a portion of the territories under British influence north of the Zambezi. Natural history. 2l8 BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA that tint. Still the grass of Central Africa is one of its great plagues. Between the months of November and February there grows up a monstrous herbage under the influence of the sun and rain. The grass stems will sometimes reach eight feet in height. Not only do many of their leaves cut like razors or stab like spears but in the autumn months of April and May their seeds ripen and in some cases seek distribution by methods painful to the human animal. There is one especially—a species of Stipa, whose seeds I here illustrate. As you pass along a native path which is almost invisible (for grass growing on either side leaves nothing but an obscure narrow tunnel), the seeds of this Stipa easily detach themselves and descend with a spiral flight on to your person, the slight im- petus of their fall carrying the sharp barbed point of the seed right into the clothing ; here the movement of the body acting on the barbs of the seed works it farther and farther in, so that it eventually reaches and scratches the skin. There are cases reported of this Stipa where the seed has actually penetrated the skin of certain animals. At one time the idea was mooted that the seed germinated thus in the flesh, but this is not true. It is a mere accident that the barbed. BARBED SEEDS OF STIPA. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir, 1858-1927. New York, Edward Arnold
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Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
