192 NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



more apparent to the few travellers and hunters who 

 have visited this flat and desolate, yet interesting 

 region. 



"Salt-pan" {zoiitpan) is a rough-and-ready name 

 given to all such kindred formations by the South 

 African Boers. But it is not to be supposed that 

 pure salt is readily to be found upon all. Upon some 

 pans, it is true — such as that of Groot Chwaing in 

 British Bechuanaland — large quantities of good 

 rough salt are collected, to be sold among up-country 

 farmers. Upon others very beautiful masses of 

 crystallized salt are to be found. These crystal 

 lumps, formed by the steady evaporation of nature, 

 are highly prized by the natives, who use them in 

 their kraals, and carry them upon distant journeys. 

 The commonest form of pan in Ngamiland shows 

 after the rains a strong exudation of lime, which 

 under the action of sun and wind mingles with the 

 desert sand, and gives to the even floor of the pan the 

 smoothest and most silvery appearance possible. 

 During the rains the pans are covered with a few 

 inches of water, and look like immense lakes. From 

 May to November they are dry again. During this 

 dry period of African winter and spring, when not a 

 drop of rain may be expected to mar their surface, 

 the salt-pans assume their most characteristic aspect. 

 At this time the game come in to lick the brack, for 

 which they have so keen a longing. Then the intense 



