146 THE NATURAL HISTOllT EETIEW. 



of whicli, I believe, would prove of much value to science. Mr. 

 Colman, of Q-rahamstown, who has visited these latter caves, situated 

 on the Yaal Kiver, has brought down several specimens of minerals, 

 Bome of which I have seen, but have missed the opportunity of 

 talking with that gentleman himself. 



I am now making a tour into the 'Free State, but fear my time 

 will not permit my visiting the Transvaal. I purpose, as I go along, 

 collecting, to make notes on the various points of interest, and will 

 visit any caves I may hear of When I left England I had not 

 the pleasure of personally seeing Professor Huxley, but have endea- 

 voured in vain to obtain for him specimens of Bushmen's crania. 

 I may be more successful now, and should I meet with any will cer- 

 tainly forward them. 



I may mention to you, that there is, to the south of Port Eliza- 

 beth, and a few miles from the town, a considerable deposit of sand, 

 filled with shells, all apparent Jy of recent species. In these beds are 

 some fragments of a very coarse kind of crockery, containing quartz 

 and sand, but principally formed of clay. I have not had time, as 

 yet, to investigate them thoroughly, but think they will prove 

 interesting. 



There are few persons here who interest themselves in science, 

 but a garden of acclimatization and botany, improperly called a park, 

 is being started, and we are very desirous to obtain tea and chinchona 

 plants, in order to give them a trial. 



I may mention, that I have several times noticed dun-coloured 

 foals in this colony with stripes ; and only two Sundays ago, saw a 

 very young one with the slightest possible trace of them on its legs. 



If you could, in any way, give our small efforts publicity, I may, 

 speaking in the name of our committee, say that we should feel much 

 obliged. Por, unless we get some sort of recognition at home, the 

 work of pushing ourselves forward here is rather disheartening. 



Apologising for thus writing at length, 



I am, Gentlemen, 



Tour obedient servant, 



J. P. Mansel Weale, B.A., 



Late of Trinity College, Oxon., and Curator of the 

 Department of Practical Science Museum, P.E. 



To the Editors of the " Natural Historv Eeview." 



