so called on account of several low hills in the surrounding distance.
*
Why places in the following part of our route, not frequented
by the colonists, should bear Dutch names, requires to be explained;
and, for that purpose, it is only necessary to repeat that the usual
language of the Klaarwater Hottentots, is Dutch, and that these
names are frequently the mere translation of the aboriginal names,
which latter they never make use of when conversing in the Dutch
language. I have, therefore, been too often compelled to use the
translation when I ought to have given the original. It is Certainly
bad taste to substitute, in any country, a modern or a foreign name,
for one by which a place has been for ages known to its native inhabitants.
I cannot consider myself as falling under this remark when,
not having been able to learn the true name, I have been under the
necessity of giving a temporary one to some of my stations, in order
to note afterwards, more precisely, the spot where particular objects
of natural history were found.
Having* in the course of the day, observed the foot-marks of
lions, we took care to guard against a surprise from those powerful
beasts during the night, by placing the waggons in a circle, within
* Between Sack river and Kopjes Fontein, sixteen species of plants were added to
my catalogue: — .
Gorteria diffusa. Tb. Hermannia
Grielum sinuatum. Licht. Planta to- Sisymbrium
mentosa prostrata pulchra floribus Dais?
citrinis. Folia pinnatim dissecta. Lachcnalia
Phamaceum salsoloides. B. Cat Geog* Nemesia
1508. Species vakle singularis. Lichtensteinia
Planta depressa ramosa foliosa gla- Lycium
bra. Folia carnosa teretia glauca. Calendula. Lin.
Umbella pauciflora supra-axillaris Chrysocoma
longe pedunculata. . Aptosimum. B. &c.
In the following part of the journey, so many new objects were continually met with,
that it becomes impossible, without swelling too much the bulk of the present volume, to
notice even a small proportion of them. A few of the most remarkable, or such as appeared
more interesting, will be occasionally described more particularly; and, in order
to give an idea of the botany of a region new to naturalists, the genera of the rest will
frequently be added.
which the oxen and sheep were secured. It is fortunate for travellers,
that this animal preys on cattle always in preference to man.
5th. Our next stage, owing to a very pleasing circumstance,
was only seven miles. Just as a place called Patrys Fontein (Partridge
Fountain) appeared in view, we were agreeably surprised at
seeing a party of Hottentots coming towards us, with between fifty
and a hundred oxen. These were men with the relays from Klaarwater,
and were, it may be imagined, warmly greeted by the rest of
the people, who, having been above six months absent from their
homes, were eager in making enquiries as to the state of affairs
there.A
s soon as the four horsemerf, despatched from the Karree
river, arrived at Klaarwater, the Hottentot captain there immediately
collected from the settlement a,s many oxen as could be spared, and
sent them off with remarkable expedition; they having been only
nine days on the road, although it was a distance of three hundred
miles.
The men with the oxen, reported that the Kraal of Cqffres on the
Great River, or Gariep, were peaceable and quiet; nor had any symptoms
of evil intention towards the Klaarwater Hottentots been observed.
Neither were any of that tribe seen at Schiet Fontein, the
place where, we had been so often told, they meant to attack us. Thus
were all apprehensions, oh that head done away. Our prospect,
in the state of the country we had to pass through before we reached
the river, was less agreeable: beyond Schiet Fontein, the springs
were every where very nearly dried u p ; and the consideration of the
little chance there was for so many oxen as we had with us, to obtain
water, became a source of serious uneasiness. But, if the unusual
drought of the season was, in this view, extremely unfavorable to us,
it was, on the other hand, the cause of great convenience, as it
rendered the Great-river so shallow, that we might expect to ford it
without trouble or danger. Near a place wellnamed Leeuwe Fon-
tein (Lion Fountain), the relays had been followed by three lions,
one of which, a female, was shot by the Hottentots.
The hunters were very successful to-day, and came home in the