BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 131 



were Leonotis ovata, in full vigour, and bearing numerous 

 spikes of red flowers ; Samolus campanulatus, which grows in 

 the rocky channel of the river, with its roots fixed in the 

 narrow fissures of the rock; and Chascanum pinnatifidum, on 

 stony hills ; also a Talinum, in alluvial soil on the bank, with 

 a Cissampelos and Malva, and Cyperus sexangularis. In the 

 shadow of the thickets, and climbing amongst the bushes, I 

 noticed Coniandra pinnatisecta, and Cysticapnos, Cissampelos 

 Capensis, &c. 



We crossed the river in safety, and travelled over a nearly 

 level tract for some hours. Our view, towards the north, was 

 bounded by moderately high hills, till we entered a narrow 

 valley, following a small river called Sanddriftspruit, for more 

 than an hour. The atmosphere being very sultry, assumed 

 the appearance of an approaching thunder-storm, which soon 

 broke forth with great violence. The darkness of the night ad- 

 vanced so quickly, that it was with great toil, over a swampy 

 and trackless field, that we reached the temporary station of 

 an emigrant farmer, in whose neighbourhood we took up our 

 quarters that night. We unyoked the oxen, not aware that our 

 encampment was near the bank of a stream, which is dry, ex- 

 cept in heavy rains. It was very dark, and the storm increased, 

 "11 we soon perceived, by the fearful noise of the water, that 

 We na( * halted close to a torrent. We were in great fear 

 during that night about our safety ; but fortunately, the rain 

 s °on ceased, and we escaped danger. We had fine weather 



e next day, and continued our journey ; ascending gradu- 



a *y towards a sloping plain, of a fertile soil, with an appa- 



en % luxuriant vegetation, principally Graminea, the Sac- 



artnea, Festucece, and Agrostidece, being the most numerous 

 regard to specimens ; while the Composite, Malva- 



®> fiuttneracea, and Asclepiadea, had the most representative 

 s pecies amongst the Dicotyledones. We travelled over an 



vated plain of some extent, and caught an extensive view 

 the country about the Orange River, which we had 

 aready left behind us. To the north, lay the district 



rou gh which the Caledon River takes its course. It is a 



l 2 



