for exploring Central Africa. 103 



forms of this class, and procured specimens of a species of Python, which 

 I had formerly obtained near Port Natal. The poisonous snakes have 

 been found to bear nearly the same proportion to innocuous ones which 

 they do in the colony. 



" Crocodiles, of moderate size, were found inhabiting the principal rivers 

 beyond Kurrichaine in considerable numbers, and are much dreaded by 

 the natives, who, like their cattle, dogs, &c, often suffer from their 

 voracity. One which we shot had just swallowed a Rooye-bok (Antelope 

 Melampus), which had been caught in the act of drinking, and it was ex- 

 tracted entire from its stomach. Besides crocodiles, we found in the 

 same river a new species of box tortoise, belonging to the genus Sterno- 

 therus, and which has been provisionally designated Sternotherus africa- 

 nus. The shell of this species sometimes measures 2 ft. in length. But 

 few specimens were procured ; a circumstance not arising out of the 

 scarcity of individuals, but from the difficulty of catching them, the deepest 

 pools being their exclusive abodes. 



" As regards the collection of insects, it is (and that from necessity) 

 but small ; yet, nevertheless, it will furnish some interesting species. The 

 interior does not appear to present that rich field for the entomologist 

 which is done by the districts nearer the coast. It is true a portion of the 

 most favourable season for the collection of insects passed when we were 

 in situations where but few trees or little underwood existed, and where, 

 at certain seasons, the country is densely covered with grass. 



" Botany. — From there having been no person attached to the party 

 for the specific purpose of collecting and drying plants, little of interest 

 has been obtained in this department. That beauty and variety which 

 characterise the productions of the vegetable kingdom within the colony 

 were not observed at any great distance beyond the Orange River ; and 

 though numerous forms of the smaller and less showy plants in all proba- 

 bility exist in the different districts we visited, yet the means and the time 

 for detecting them were wanting. Few trees were observed, and the Acacia 

 Giraffae had but few rivals, as far as regarded size. Shrubs, from 1 ft. to 

 6 ft. in height, prevail in abundance, from Vaal River to some distance 

 north of Latakoo, and to a great distance north-west and west of it; also 

 upon the granite and limestone formations, over which we principally 

 travelled, beyond Kurrichaine. Indeed, in the latter district, they, asso- 

 ciated with dwarf trees, formed almost a continuous coating to the surface 

 of the country, which coating became denser and denser as the Tropic 

 was approached. The few seeds which were collected have, by direction 

 of the committee, been planted in the botanical garden of Baron Von 

 Ludwig ; and the dried specimens of plants have, by a like order, 

 been reserved to form a portion of the general collection destined for 

 Europe. 



" Mineralogy and Geology. — An extensive collection of geological 

 specimens has been formed, which will enable the Association to dispose 

 of four series, and, at the same time, reserve one, the finest and most 

 complete, for the Association. The specimens possessed are calculated to 

 furnish a correct knowledge of the prevailing geological groups which 

 occur between Graaff-Reinet and the Tropic, and show what a great share 

 the trap and granitic series possess in the structure of South Africa. No 

 organic remains were detected, though extensive limestone formations, 

 with a distinct stratification, and abounding in caverns, were examined in 

 three different positions, the last in about latitude 25°. The notes pos- 

 sessed in relation to those points will admit of ample illustration when the 

 subject can be treated in detail." 



Naturalists in this country will eagerly anticipate the arrival 

 of so extensive a series of zoological specimens, and we ob~ 



