330 A JOURNEY INTO THE 
inhabited by many kinds of water-birds ; likewise several sorts of he- 
rons; and, amongst others, the Ibis religiosa of the ancients, occur- 
ring only in Saldanha Bay, of the Cape Colony: we were so fortu- 
nate as to get several fine specimens of this bird when we passed 
that swampy spot. We beheld the Rhinosterkop in front, soon reached 
it, and as there was an abundance of wood, we were persuaded to 
-~ remain here; however fresh water was scarce. 
This remarkable hill is crowned, like the Dornkop, and others which 
- we had already passed, with various kinds of forest-trees, raising 
their wooded heads high over the far-extended plain, seemingly only 
— limited by the horizon. It appears, when seen from a considerable 
distance, like a tropical island, surrounded by a vast ocean. The fre- 
quency of a delusive mirage, completely concealing the ground for 
awhile, makes the deception complete; and as these vapours of the 
atmosphere are vibrating through the influence of heat, the undu- 
. lating motion gives a perfect idea of a wavy deep; whirlwinds, fre- 
quently raising columns of dust into the air, resemble the spouting of 
whales, so that nothing is wanted to a perfect delusion. 
. The trees of Acacia robusta, Burch., constitute some part of the 
wood on that hill; it was the first time we observed that kind of 
tree since our journey. The Acacia Capensis and A. Cafra, although 
not rare here, had their station more towards the foot of the hill, and 
extended even for some distance over a level ground. ‘The tall flower- 
stalks, clothed with many bright reddish flowers, of Kalanchoe alternans, 
ers., n. 670, belonging to the Natural Order Crassulacee, frequently 
ornamented the rocks on open places where the beams of the sun could 
ouch them. - 
The accident, that one of the best horses died here, quite unexpectedly, 
nuc a, after having sacrificed much time already at Dornkop; 
ing for the commencement of the healthy season for horses: the 
temper attacked the animal so suddenly that it was on the eve of 
ying before we perceived that it was sick. It was serious to consider 
that all the horses we had with us might die before they were of any 
use to us. : Tt was a sufficient proof how difficult it is to prognosticate 
a -— that fatal visitation commences and when it ends; 
progress is often so sudden, that in less than one hour a healthy 
Tay become a lifeless carcase. The loss was great, being de- 
lready of one of the best horses, which « : i 
ee S » Which was destined for catching 
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