OTJIKOTO REIMARKABLE CAVERN. 181 



Otjikoto, "one of the most wonderful of Nature's freaks," 

 is situated at the northern extremity of those broken hills 

 which take their rise in the neighborhood of Okamabuti, and 

 in the midst of a dense coppice. So effectually is it hidden 

 from view, that a person might pass within fifty paces of it 

 without being aware of its existence. Owing to its steep and 

 rugged sides, cattle have not access to the water ; and even 

 a man can only approach this enormous well by means of a 

 steep and slippery footpath. No perceptible difference could 

 be observed in the height of the water ; and the Ovambo 

 informed us that, as long as they and their fathers remem- 

 bered, it had always been the same. It is difiicult to imag- 

 ine how or whence Otjikoto receives its supplies. A spa- 

 cious cavern, only visible and accessible from the water, may 

 possibly be the grand reservoir. 



After gratifying our curiosity, Galton and myself, standing 

 in need of a bath, plunged head foremost into the profound 

 abyss. The natives were utterly astounded. Before reach- 

 ing Otjikoto, they had told us that if a man or beast was 

 so unfortunate as to fall into the pool, he would inevitably 

 perish. We attributed this to superstitious notions ; but the 

 mystery was now explained. The art of swimming was 

 totally unknown in these regions. The water was very cold, 

 and, from its great depth, the temperature is likely to be the 

 same throughout the year. 



We swam into the cavern to which allusion has just been 

 made. The transparency of the water, which was of the 

 deepest sea-green, was remarkable ; and the effect produced 

 in the watery mirror by the reflection of the crystallized 

 walls and roof of the cavern appeared veiy striking and 

 beautiful. In this mysterious spot, two owls and a great 

 number of bats had taken up their abode. On approaching 



was dry at the time, we ascertained that the bottom was flat, or near- 

 ly so. In various other places we also met with similar basins, but on 

 a still smaller scale than Orujo. 



