C H A P . VII. Journey through the Houtniquas. - '775- T T ° U fN I S U A S Land, which is a woody trad of September. countryj is fupp0fed to commence to the eaftward of Groote Brak-rivier, and to extend to Keurebooms-rivier*, which empties itfelf into Algoa-bay. To the northward' this diftrid is entirely feparated from Lange Kloof, by along and very high range of mountains, extending from eaft to weft. Along the fide of thefe mountains runs a wood, to the trees, herbs, and general properties of which, the defcription I gave of Groot Faders Bofch is equally applicable. On the weftern fide of Keerom-rhier, or the hither fide o f Houtniquas, between the wood juft fpoken of and the fea-ihore, there are extenfive plains of indifferent grafs. There are likewife in the vales near the fhore, fome woody trads of land and- ftreams o f frefh water; fo that two farmers have lately made a new fettlement here, who will find no difficulty in getting their livelihood, in the fame manner as the other farmers do, who have fet themfelves down in the upper and more extenfive fide of the foreft, by felling of timber, and at the fame time they may fow corn corn and rear cattle fufficient to anfwer the demands of their c 'J75- # . oeptember. families. The trad of country lying between Keerom and Keurebooms-riviers, makes the internal part of Houtniquas, and is faid to be almoft entirely covered with woods. This- part I had no opportunity to vifit, and therefore was obliged to be contented with putting down on the map the farms and rivers as well as I could conceive them from an account, which, however, was not very accurate or diftind, given me by a farmer, who had travelled a good deal in that diftrid. Keerom-rivier (or Turnabout-river) in which the fmaller branches Zwart-rivier and 1’rakudiku meet, has obtained its name from the circumftanee of the perfon who firft travelled this way, having been obliged- to turn back at this river, on account of the denfe and almoft impenetrable forefts that grew every where by the fide o f it. Keurebooms-rivier is perhaps fo called, after a tree of the fame name (the fophora capenfis, L i n n . ) On this kind o f tree there is found a great quantity of gum, refembling that of the cherry-tree, but not fo adhefive. I have hardly ever feen a tree of this kind any where elfe, excepting a few at Bay Falfo and in Conjlantia diftrid, Algoa-bay is faid not to have been once vifited by- the ihips, fince Houtniquas has been inhabited and cultivated; It was thought, however, that the harbour was very fit for ufe, and convenient both for wooding and watering, of both which articles there is a great abundance. It is pretty much expofed to the fea-winds; though, on the other hand, the winds do not blow with fuch violence here as at the Cape. I could get no farther oral information with refped
27f 72-1
To see the actual publication please follow the link above