IN THE ZULU COUNTRY. 263 
and being in most cases but just beneath the surface would be subject 
to extreme aridity were it not for the shelter afforded by the thick ve- 
getation of herbs and grasses by which they are surrounded. 
In October the rains begin at first but sparingly, dews however are 
frequent and heavy, and in November and December the ground be- 
comes saturated; January and part of February dry weather usually 
prevails, to be succeeded by even more rain than before. Most of the 
terrestrial Orchids bloom at the beginning of each of these rainy periods, 
and by the end of May the leaves of such as are deciduous wither and 
die off. The mean temperature need not be high for them, as I fre- 
quently find the coast plants running back to an elevation of two or 
even three thousand feet, and at this height sharp frosts are very com- 
mon in our winter season. I fancy that greenhouse treatment, with 
the help of a close frame at the commencement of their growth, will 
prove all that is needed, and to keep them rather Jess dry than is usual 
with bulbs, during the torpid season. 
After despatching the two oxen before mentioned we crossed the 
Umgoa and found the country more thickly wooded than before; trees . ; 
of a gigantie size being frequent, and the bush of several days’ journey 
through. The Bulimus Kraussi is here common, and a darker one, 
which I think differs essentially, is also tolerably plentiful. After a few 
days I found but little difference in the vegetation, and therefore pushed 
on, crossing the Umpongo, whence three or four days’ travelling made an 
immense difference in the aspect of the country. It here becomes flat, 
so much so that lagoons are frequent and the bush is scattered about 
in detached patches. Epiphytal Orchids are decidedly on the increase, 
and if we can push some fifty miles further I think it probable some 
new forms in the family must resul 
t; but unfortunately our oxen show — d 
unmistakeable symptoms of wearing out. We have now a good load, > 
quite as much as they can get on with. 
Leaving the cattle on the Umpongo to rest and refresh themselves,with 
two Kaffirs to take care of our effects, I set off to determine if possible 
the extent of this flat country, taking with me the rest of the Kaffirs to 
carry necessaries. Three days brought us to another considerable stream, 
and two more to the head of St. Lucia’s Bay. At starting I promised 
myself to reach this place, as I had heard some glowing accounts of the 
scenery, etc., and certainly it is not belied by the reality: the bay it- 
self is about the size of that at Natal; the entrance is almost stopped 
by a bar, so much so that it is quite possible to wade across the mouth. 
