this part of the plain. Continuing my walk over the heath, (I use
this word as expressing a kind of country, like the heaths of England,
wild, uncultivated, and open, and partially' covered with low bushes.)
I directed my course to Munnich’s Bridge, and thence, following the
high road, reached the town at dark.
The great extent of flat sandy country lying between Cape Town
and Hottentot Holland is spoken of by various names, which seem
very vaguely applied, and are used in an undefined manner; the
Dutch denominate one part, the Kaapsche Duinen (Cape Downs), and
another, the Kaapsche Vlakte (Cape Flats). Sometimes the term
Zand Vlakte (Sand Flats) implies the whole. With some writers it
is called the Isthmus, and such, in fact, it is ; but a single name for
so large an extent is very inconvenient for the purpose of pointing
out the native places of growth of the great variety of plants which
are to be foiind in every part of it. The English inhabitants call it
merely the Downs.
February 6th. This afternoon there was lightning and thunder,
the first which had happened since my landing: its effects rendered it
the more remarkable, for at- this time the flag-staff, which had stood
many years on the Lion’s Head, was struck down.
8th. During the preceding week, the wind had blown from the
north-west, with rain more or less every day, and the air was
cold and chilly: but it now shifted to the south-east, and again
brought the cloud on -Table Mountain. The south-easter continued
for several days, and on the 12th blew with the greatest violence.
The thermometer was 73° (18.2 R.—22.7 C.) in the middle,,of the
day. During the continuance of this wind, the dust and sand flying
about in c l o u d s , render it very unpleasant to be out in the streets,
Psoralea pinnata
Serruria glomerata ?
Lencospermum HypophyUa
Protea purpurea, Linn.
Athanasia crithmifolia
Arnica crocea
Spielmannia Africana
Psoralea aphylla
Cliffortia strohilina
Morrea spathacea. ■
and at such times, all whose business does not oblige them to do
otherwise, keep within doors.
14th. I proposed to my friend Hesse to make an excursion to
Constantia; and although it was a distance o f about eleven miles, we
agreed to go on foot, that we might with more facility examine the
productions of the country as we walked along, and quit the beaten
road to wander wherever curiosity might lead us. As we were to
dine among the bushes, our negro, Jak, who now had learnt the
whole of his duty in these rambles, and seemed to enjoy them as
much as his master, was ordered to attend us with a basket of provisions
and my boxes.
We set out at seven in the morning. At Roodebloem we felt
the symptoms of.an approaching hot day; but at Rondebosch, owing,
perhaps, to a cooler and more open situation, the thermometer fell
to 73". Between Rondebosch and Wynberg (Wine-hill), the sandy
heath is covered with flowers and bushes, amongst which Leucaden-
drvm decorum is a very showy and handsome plant; not on account
of its flower, but of the fine bright yellow leaves which surround it. *
At Wynberg a party of the 21st regiment of light dragoons were
stationed. -The situation of their mess-room, in a grove, or rather
avenue, of large trees, appeared to us, more especially on so warm a
day, delightful and romantic. Our friend, Lieutenant Williams, would
not; allow us to pass without taking some refreshment. The hospitality
and attentions which I frequently received from the officers of
* Here may be found,
Cliffortia sarmentosa
Cissampelos Capensis
Kiggelaria Africana
Aristea cyanea
Aristea spicata
Cliffortia dbcordata
Juncus bufonius ?
Cliffortia falcata
(Enotherà nocturna
i 2
Epildbium vittosum
Erica concinna
Erica visearía
Leucodendrum decorum
Thuia cupressoìdes
Protea incompta ?
Echium verrucosum ? Th.
Chironia baccifera
Asclepias crispa.