additional species for my herbarium; besides seventeen more at
subsequent visits..*
In the bay there is only one house, which is government property,
but it was in a very neglected and dilapidated state ; yet, surrounded
by lofty mountains, its situation deserves a better edifice,
and might well be the site of an elegant villa. A slave, who had
the charge of it, permitted us to spread our dinner in one of the
rooms. There we found the swallows f had long had possession ;
for at the corners under the ceiling were several nests; and these
birds had become so familiar, that our presence did not in the least
interrupt their constantly flying out, and returning with food for
their young. In most countries there are some few birds to which
man has allowed the privilege of approaching him without molestation.
In England the “ Robin Redbreast and “ Jenny Wren,
as they are familiarly called, are respected by every one; and at the
Cape, the familiarity of this swallow and of the Cape wagtail f. is
greatly owing to the same cause.
Our meal finished, we ascended the foot of the mountain, where
a multitude of new flowers caused me to be always far behind ; while
my companion continued frequently calling out to me that I must
come on, or that otherwise we should be benighted. I hastened my
Gethyllis ciliaris
Leucospermum Conocarpam
Protcea Lepidocarpon
Junciis P serratus. Th.
Selago spuria
Dilatris corymbosa
Diosma rubra
\ Salicomia fruticosa. Th.
Statice scabra
Cyperus polystachyos
Myrica cordifolia .
■ Bryonia Africana
Phylica buXifolia
Hallia cordata
Solanum tomentosum
Cyperus lanceus
Mahernia pinnatifida.
Cussonia thyrsi/lor a
Fucus tomentosus
Fucus cornetis ? &c.
f Hirundo Çapensis, Linn. Systema Naturæ, editio Gmelini.—I ]Hirondelle rousseline,
Le Vaillant, Oiseaux d’Afrique, planche 24*5., figure 1.
-j- Motacïlla çapensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. Gmel. — L a Lavandière brunei Le Vaill. Ois.
d’Af pl. 177» I t is called Kmkstaart in the colony.
pace with reluctance; but, as both the servant and myself were
nearly overloaded with what I had already collected, and as the
evening began to close in upon us, I was soon obliged to give up all
further search. Ry following the ravine upwards, we fell mto a
path which conducted us to the Rlock-house *, whence we descended
by the road over the kloof, and reached home by nine o’clock.
Since this excursion I re-visited Camps Bay several times; and, notwithstanding
a careful search, I doubt not that many plants have
escaped my notice. ...
January 1st, 1811. This day is generally kept by the Dutch
as the greatest holiday in the year, The custom of sending to each
other new-year’s gifts is still kept up among them; and, in many
families, the slaves are permitted to enjoy the day with their own
friends; on which occasion, they dress in all their best clothes.
» Near this Blockhouse, X had already collected sixty-nine species, on the 21st of
of December; and from the corresponding part of my “ Catalogue” the following names
are selected:
Growing on the side towards the town, may be seen,
Diosma villosa Serissa? capensis. Th. FI. Cap.'
Stobcea atractyloides Burm. Air. p. 257. tab. 94?. (Vulgo)
Aspalatkus spinosa “ Schaapdrolletjes
Ckironia baccifera Cassine maurocenia
Blechnum australe Lightfootia subulata
Adiantum JEthiopicum Borbonia lanceolata
Celastrus pyracanthus Kiggellaria Africaiia
Myrsine Africana Arenaria rubra
Juncus punctorius
And on that side of the Blockhouse, towards Camp’s Bay,
Stachys JEthiopica Celastrus laurinus
Athanasia erithmifolia Erica Petiveni
Leyscra gnaphalodes Anthospermum Mthiopicum
Osteospermum spinescens Chrysocoma Comaurea
Bubon gummiferum Anstida Capensis
(Enanthe inebrians Carex clavata?
Rhus angustifolium ‘ Passerinafliformis
Pelargonium labulare Diosma rugosa
Salvia Africana Juncus Capbisis.
Athanasia varvi•f.inoora.