BOTANICAL INFORMATION'. 121 



we reached the highest part of it ; it is a very inconvenient 

 pass for waggons, on account of the bad state of the road, 

 over a rocky sandstone. The point where we passed is only 

 a part of the height of a mountain chain, which unites 

 the Sneewberg with the Winterberg range, and through 

 which the Great Fish River has forced its way. Our route 

 bending round the edge of the mountain, at a considerable 

 height, we beheld that river down a slope, passing through 

 the narrow mountain gulley. Before descending to the 

 region lying before us to the north, it is worth while to 

 mention the different appearance of the country which we 

 have just left, from that which we were to enter. A re- 

 markable line of vegetation runs from here in a south- 

 westerly direction as far as the Winterhoek mountain chain, 

 forming the northern boundary of the principal forest region, 

 with its peculiar features ; which we have mentioned as 

 the principal character of the lower country in the district of 

 Uitenhage. That line forms, at the point where we are, 

 an angle ; taking a south-easterly direction, it follows the 

 Winterberg mountain chain down into the Kaffir country, 

 and constitutes the eastern boundary of that Flora. 



We should have gained an extensive prospect from our 

 elevated post, towards the northern country ; but the view 

 was much limited by several promontories of the high Snowy 

 Mountain chain, running in various directions. The course 

 of the great Fish River was marked by dark green banks, 

 contrasting with the death-like appearance of the Karroo, or 

 desert, below us, to the north. The descent down the northern 

 side of Daggaboorsneck was not quite so steep as the southern 

 ascent ; but the road was bad and stony, and threatened to 

 overturn our waggons. What a contrast did we meet as we 

 entered the Karroo, in comparison to the green and fertile 

 land we left on the opposite side of the mountain ! The 

 greater portion of the vegetation here seemed all dead and 

 dried up by the rays of a burning sun, except some succulent 

 plants, which are not in the least affected by a roasting heat. 

 Every blade was dry, and it seemed that part of the country 



