BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 651 
much with thirst, our course lying near the top of a line of 
hills; when, just as my companion had refused to exert him- 
self any more, we suddenly saw beneath us the bed of a large 
periodical river, that branch of the Camtoos called the Groote 
River. Our disappointment was extreme, when we found it 
was perfectly dry; but, by dint of searching, I detected a 
little water in a hole, and having drunk all we could of the 
salt and disagreeable fluid, we lay down to rest. Sleep 
was however out of the question, for the hyznas howled 
so dreadfuliy that we were glad when daylight appeared 
to enable us to pursue our journey. Meeting three waggons 
at a time, I requested some food, but was refused, the people 
could spare none. All day we kept passing numerous speci- 
mens of Aloe Africana, and at one place we went through a 
grove of Opuntia vulgaris, from 10 to 15 feet high. At 
sunset we reached the top of a high hill, where we halted ; no 
firewood could be found and welay down supperless, with 
no prospect of breakfast next day. The cold prevented our 
sleeping, and when soon after daybreak we met a waggon 
and asked for something to eat, we were again refused; but 
the people directed us to cross a hill, where we should find 
a farm-house. We did so, and reached the place about noon ; 
the owner is an English gentleman, named Dr. Jones, and 
he entertained us most hospitably, and my companion 
seeing a Hottentot occupied in skinning an ox which had 
been gored, obtained part of the meat as a provision for our 
Journey. Zamia horrida was very fine in this neighbour- 
hood, ra 
On the following ‘day, the 14th, we arrived at Uitenhage - 
about noon. I observed Plumbago Capensis and Loranthus | 
elegans growing near the track. Mr. Zeyher was here 
awaiting me; but to my great disappointment I found that 
no preparations had been made for the journey into the 
interior, Mr. Jones having neither sent the goods which were 
to have come by sea, nor despatched to Cape Town the 
animals which are still here and at Algoa Bay: Mr. Zeyher - 
Proposed going to Port Elizabeth and I agreed to accompany - 
BBB2 
