CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 153 



goemetrica), which are here in great numbers, extremely pretty- 

 ones with embossed shells. These shells are often made to do 

 duty as ornamental paper weights, being filled with lead. Besides 

 these there are the tracks of the various snakes. A broad groove 

 with a much narrower groove in its centre, marked by the tip of 

 the tail, is made by the terrible Puff-adder (Clotho arietans), on 

 which one always stands a chance of treading when walking 

 about. Then there are Cobra tracks, and tracks of numerous other 

 snakes. Both Cobras (naja haje ?) and Puff-adders are sufficiently 

 abundant about Simons Town. I had four or five adders and 

 two Cobras brought me to preserve. The Cobra was caught 

 swimming in the sea, just off the dockyard. 



Again, there are tracks of the Ichneumon (Herpestes), called 

 by some name sounding like " moose haunt," and those of the 

 Musk-Cat (G-enetta felina), both extremely destructive, and 

 trapped and hunted with all energy by the farmers. There are 

 tracks of porcupines leading to their holes, which are often in 

 the caves about the sea cliffs, and have stray quills lying about 

 their mouths, sufficient evidence of the nature of the inhabitant. 

 There are Ptock-rabbit tracks, and there are the tracks of the 

 Rheebok and Grysbok, all to be readily distinguished by an 

 educated eye. 



The great variety of the flowers at the Cape is a source of 

 constant interest to the naturalist. It is also pleasant to see in 

 their wild condition, large numbers of beautiful flowers, with 

 which one has long been familar as the chief decoration of green- 

 houses at home. All over the hills grow " Everlastings " (Heli- 

 chrysum), some with large snow-white flowers, others of various 

 bright tints. There is an endless variety of handsome heaths, 

 and numerous familiar Pelargoniums. Amongst bulbs, there are 

 various showy Gladiolus and various species of Iris, and the tall 

 white-flowered Aroid (Richardia cethiopica), commonly called 

 " Arum" without the white spathe and golden spadix of which 

 no English conservatory is complete ; all these are very common. 



I had not before I saw the Cape flora, realized the wonderful 

 power of change-ringing, as it were, in plants. Here may be seen 

 a plant with a yellow flower, very like a dandelion, but with 

 leaves dark on the upper surface, and downy beneath, yet in 



