12 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



and entertainments of all kinds are of daily occurrence: and to these 

 diversions were added in our case, as befitted the character of the com- 

 pany, lectures and discourses on subjects which were generally con- 

 nected with the countries to be visited. But perhaps the most useful 

 feature of the voyage was the opportunity it afforded for the leisurely 

 discussion of scientific and professional matters and for establishing 

 closer personal relations between men representing various departments 

 of science. It need hardly be said that this was very fully appreciated, 

 especially by those who have their work in places remote from the 

 main centers of intellectual activity. 



Euphorbia 'snapped' fp.om the train- sear Dub ban. 



The southern gateway of Africa is an imposing sight as it is ap- 

 proached from the sea. A characteristic feature of the mountains, 

 the table-like formation with high vertical cliffs on one side, has no 

 better example than the huge mass which faces Table Bay, flanked on 

 one side by the conical hill known as the Lion's Head, and on the other 

 by the Devil's Hill. Cape Town lies on the low ground in front of 

 the mountain and one can not see the old and new fortifications guard- 

 ing the entrance to the docks without remembering its early settlement 

 by the Dutch, its later acquisition by the English and the fact that, 

 until the completion of the railways to Durban, Delagoa Bay and Beira, 

 the story of South Africa is almost contained in that of Cape Town. 

 All through the late war it was the principal port of entry for men 

 and supplies and during that time was a scene of tremendous activity. 

 It is now suffering from severe depression caused by over-speculation 



