THE MONITOR (Varanus niloticus). 



CHAPTER V. 



THROUGH WATERBERG. 



Scarcity of timber in the Transvaal. Leave Pretoria fur Waterberg'. 

 "Waterless region of the Flats. The Warm Baths. Beautiful scenery. 

 Euphorbias and their poisonous qualities. Fe^er districts. The 

 Massacre at Makapan's Poort.- Sanguinary retribution at Makapan's 

 Cave. A fine orthopterous insect. The Prospector. Reptiles. 

 Ravages of the "Australian Bug." Majuba day. Mimicking 

 insects. 



EARLY in the month of February I made a journey 

 through the Waterberg district, to procure a supply and 

 estimate the quantity that could be obtained of the best 

 tanning-material of the country, the leaf of the tree I 

 have already referred to (Colpoon compressinn}. As the 

 industry of the Transvaal progresses, an investigation 

 of its tanning-products will doubtless be undertaken, 

 for it can scarcely be credited that the few vegetable 

 materials now only known as available for a trade that 

 must have a future adequately represent its wealth in 

 this matter. A process of tanning in small quantity 

 for household wants has long been understood and 



