Having arrived at the eastern edge of the mountain, we rested
a while to contemplate the extensive prospect below and around us.
On our left, the Devil’s Mountain obstructed the view eastward ; but
commencing from that point, the eye. surveys in succession, the Sand
Flats or isthmus curiously marked by the roads leading towards Hottentot
Holland, which have the appearance of irregular lines of a
liahter color ; Rondebosch, Wynberg, Witteboom and Cmstantia, Zeekoe
Valley and .False Bay. Beyond these, are seen the important pass
of Hottentot Holland Kloof, and False Cape or Cape Hanglip-
Southward are seen the pass and mountain of Muisenberg (Mouse-
mountain) and Simon's Bay, thé whole length of the Cape Peninsula,
as far as the Cape of Good Hope Proper, with Hout Bay (W.ood Bay),
and Steenbergen (Stone Mountains), present themselves surrounded
by the boundless ocean.
Ehrharta ramosa. Th.
Gleichenia polypodioïdes
Erica tvhvflora
Chirônia Jasminoïdes ? :
Erica gelida
Erica Sebana
Erica Pluknetii
Holcus asper. Th.
Gnidia oppositifolia. ¡3. Willd
Pterygodium atratum g
Exacum albev-s
Menyânthes {Villania) ovata
Elegia juncea
Selago spuria
Hallia asarina ?
Cluytia alatemoides
Thesium capitatum j
Erica tenuifolia ?
Diosma crenata
Drosera cunei/olia
Chrysitrix Capensis
Erica planifolia ?
Pencea mucronata
Erica comosa
Erica helicacaba
Erica imbricata
Erica glutinosa
Orobanche Capensis
Hermas capitata
Satyrium bracteatuni
Disajlexuosa
Disa patens
Hydrocotyle hedereefolia. B. Cat.
Geog. 658.—H . decumbens villosa,
foliis renìformibus, 3—5 angulatis :
angulis acutis.
■ Protesa 'cynaroïdes
Mimetes Jìmbicefólius. Salisb.
Stcebe incana P
The numbers in my catalogue, previous to this excursion, amounted to 516; all ol>
tained in the- vicinity of Cape Town: notwithstanding which, this single day s collection
added no less than' 148 species, 51 of which were found in the ascent, and 97 on the summit.
The number of individual specimens selected and preserved this day, was 11 S3.
* Corrupted most pfobahly from Hangklip, a hanging rock.
In surveying from this high eminence, so great an extent and
such a variety of objects, sensations are produced of a very agreeable
kind, not at all connected with the idea of picturesque scenery. They
seem rather to arise from a feeling of superiority and command, which
a great height above all. we behold, and an elevation above the inhabited
earth, seem to inspire in the spectator, who, at the same
time, breathes the freest and purest air.
After some time spent in admiring this scene, we returned by a
route nearer to the edge of the precipice facing the town. Such a
ramble was, we all confessed, not unattended with fatigue; and, for
my part, I had the more reason to complain, as the rugged and sharp
r o c k s we traversed, had literally worn the shoes off my feet. They
were, it is true, but an old pair at setting o u t; and such only, is it
advisable to take, on account of the greater ease and safety which
they give the wearer in climbing rocky places.
At about three o’clock in the afternoon, we arrived at the top of
the ravine, by which we first ascended; and near to it we found a
spot very convenient for our dining-place, sheltered from the wind,
on one side, by a ledge of rock, of which I brought away a small
piece to serve as a specimen of the material of which the whole of the
summit of the mountain is formed; and, on another, by a tree of a
species of Protea*, the largest I had seen of this kind ; being between
eight and nine feet high, with a bushy round head, and trunk half a
foot in diameter. The leaves which terminated every branch, were
of a bright red color, and much more conspicuous than the flowers
themselves.
Before our dinner was quite finished, the weather began to
change, and soon became very chilly; (at 4 P.M. 58°’F.) the wind
increased, and misty clouds flying with rapidity past us, threatened
soon to envelope, both us and the whole mountain. Those who had
visited the summit of this mountain before, were aware of the danger
* The Protesa cuculiata of Linnaeus, ' Mìvictcsjìmbritcfolhis of Salisbury, and Mimetes
Hartogii of Brown.