22 Annals of the South, African Museum. 



On leaving the neighbourhood of the Oliphant's Eiver on Decem- 

 ber 1st, the expedition entered a dry, more or less desert stretch 

 which merged into Namaqualand proper between Van Ehyn's Dorp 

 and Nieuwe Rust (December 3rd). All the localities visited between 

 December 3rd and January 6th lie within Namaqualand. Ratel- 

 kraal, Eietfontein, Koeberg and Dobabeep are situated on the 

 western border of Bushmanland. At Anegas the road again enters 

 Namaqualand, but quickly rises on the Khamiesberg to an elevation 

 beyond which the typical Namaqualand vegetation is replaced by 

 forms whose affinities are with those of the Cape Region. 



Except in Bushmanland, the principal vegetative season of the 

 regions visited occurs in the spring (August to October). It is 

 probable that many species flowering in the spring, particularly 

 to the north of Van Rhyn's Dorp, are still unknown. But as far 

 north as Bethany Drift the vegetation of this season has been 

 studied by various botanists, notably by J. F. Drege. On the 

 Khamiesberg, and also at lower elevations to the north of Bowes- 

 dorp, thunder rains occur more or less spasmodically in the summer 

 season. In years when these rains do not fail, a considerable number 

 of species are in flower in January and February. This is especially 

 the case in the little-known region lying to the north of the Port 

 Nolloth-O'okiep Railway. The summer of 1910-11 was particu- 

 larly favourable for the development of this secondary flowering 

 season, and from a preliminary examination of the collections it 

 appears that they include a considerable proportion of species not 

 previously found. 



It was intended to take a complete series of readings of Maximum, 

 Minimum, and Wet and Dry bulb temperatures. Owing to various 

 circumstances, particularly to accidents with the thermometers, this 

 intention was not carried out. But there is so little definite informa- 

 tion regarding the meteorological conditions of the region that the 

 few observations taken should perhaps be placed on record. 



Except where it is otherwise stated, the maximum readings were 

 taken under the wagon, the thermometer being suspended about 

 2 feet above the ground. This was the only position in which 

 shade could be obtained for 2 hours or more before and after 

 midday. Owing to the strong reflection from the ground the 

 readings are, probably in all cases, higher than those which 

 would have been registered by a properly screened instrument. 

 When two readings are recorded for the same locality they were 

 taken on successive days {e.g., Stinkfontein, Nov. 5-6). The 

 minimum readings were given by a thermometer hung in a bush 



