302 The Sudd.

are carried down-stream and, as the channel wanders and twists, they form small obstructions. None of these, however, appear to be lasting, and it is rare that the Ghazal river is blocked for any length of time. It may be closed for a few months and then re-open itself. Thus in March and April, 1900, it was clear throughout its entire length, while in September of the same year it was blocked in more than one place. On this river, as on the Jebel, the sudd frequently sinks to the bottom, and decomposes, gradually raising the bed of the river. In this state it is very hard to remove.

AMBACH.

Botanical (A)m|K)eition. The sudd-forming plants may be classed in three divisions.* The first, which contains plants whose roots descend to the river bed, is chiefly composed of the papyrus (Cyperus Papyrus), the common reed or "Bus" (Phragmiies commwrns), and the featherj-headed grass {Saccharum Spontaneum).

The second kind is composed entirely of plants whose roots are in the water, but do not strike down to the ground or bed of river. The principal plant in this class is the " Um suf " (Panicum pyramidale), grass, so called by the Arabs ("Mother of wool ") on account of the irritant hairs found on its leaf-sheaths which adhere to the skin of anyone touching them. In addition to the above, the wild bean (Vigna Nilotica) and creepers with purple flowers (IpomcBo) are found in profusion.

♦ The Director of Forests, Mr. A. Broun, does not agree with the classification, or all the details, &c., given. the feathery-headed grass, and states that the Um sftf would not, in any case, come in the second class.— Ed.

He has not found