THE DECADENCE OF GREAT GAME 289 



the pied bontebok, although still swarming upon the 

 northern plains, had been greatly thinned in the 

 same district (Swellendam) ; but, with the exception 

 of these two instances, the game was as plentiful as 

 ever at no great distance from Cape Town. 



In 1812 Dr. Burchell, the naturalist, made his 

 well-known expedition beyond the limits of Cape 

 Colony, crossing the Orange River and entering 

 Bechuanaland. This period marks an epoch in the 

 history of the South African fauna. Burchell dis- 

 covered several new and remarkable species beyond 

 the Orange River. The white rhinoceros and 

 Burchell's zebra still bear his name ; and through 

 Burchell and his excellent book of travels, some 

 idea of the wonderful richness of the interior began 

 to filter into the minds of Englishmen. Giraffes, 

 brindled gnu, and other animals not ranging south 

 of the Orange River were shown to be extraordinarily 

 abundant. 



In 1835 a great expedition under Dr., afterwards 

 Sir, Andrew Smith, was sent out by the British Govern- 

 ment for the purposes of zoological discovery. Smith 

 did his work well, and added greatly to our know- 

 ledge of the fauna and avi-fauna of the interior. 

 Some idea of the wealth of animal life in South 

 Bechuanaland at that time, may be gathered from 

 his descriptions. In one day alone he counted (and 

 he was a man thoroughly to be relied upon) not far 



