S6 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



At noon we spread rugs over the Karroo thorns when we 

 sit under them for shade. Place the tin of Httle Karroo trees 

 in bright sunHght. How do they protect themselves ? 



All the plants have their lessons to teach. The blue-grey 

 of the western foliage, the stretches of Karroo, the restful green 

 of the Kei, the Katberg, and the Vaal, 



"The aching Oudtshoorn ranges 

 Lit by the last of the sun — 

 Opal and ashes-of-roses, 

 Cinnamon, umber and dun," 



all have their beauty, their lesson, and their mystery. 



We had been picnicking in Bain's Kloof. Full justice had 

 been done to the last brewing of coffee. Proteas, heath, 

 orchids, and ixias filled our waggon. The spirit of the 

 mountains behind us breathed mysterious silences. Below 

 were vine-clad hills with bordering orange groves sloping 

 down to the half mist^wreathed village. Around lay the un- 

 tilled veld, beyond which the Malmesbury grain district swept 

 on over rolling hills out of sight. Table Mountain lay in the 

 distance, and at the right the surf-beaten Blueberg range. 



" Look ! where can another such view be seen ? " exclaimed 

 one who loved the West^ to a student standing near. At length, 

 with a far-away look, came the reply, " Wait till you have seen 

 Beaufort West." That was — 



" His Sea in no showing the same — 

 His Sea and the same 'neath each showing. " 



