STERILE COUNTRY GREAT NAMAQUA-LxVKD. 311 



eruptions, had a sunburnt and crumbling appearance, and 

 were almost wholly destitute of vegetation. The soil in the 

 neighborhood of the mountains consisted of pure sand, and 

 was covered with low and succulent shrubs, from which our 

 cattle, hitherto accustomed to revel in the almost boundless 

 savannas of Damara-land, turned with disgust. The coun- 

 try for several weeks' journey in advance of us was repre- 

 sented as of a similar nature. 



We began now seriously to tremble for the poor beasts, 

 which had already lost flesh. Upward of two months' trav- 

 eling had to be performed before we could reach our desti- 

 nation. 



With the exception of that portion of Namaqua-land and 

 Damara-land bordering on the coast, the part of the country 

 I speak of has the most inauspicious appearance I ever saw. 

 Its sterility arises probably from being situated near the limit, 

 not only of the "thunder-rains," but of the regular rains 

 C mist-rains," as they are called in the colony), and the con- 

 sequent frequency of great droughts. Indeed, scarcely any 

 rain falls here in some years. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Great Namaqua-land. — Its Boundaries and Extent. — Its Rivers. — Na- 

 ture of the Country. — Vegetation and CHmate. — Geological Struc- 

 ture. — Minerals. — "Topnaars" and "Oerlams." — Houses. — My- 

 thology and Religion. — Tumuli. — Wonderful Rock. — Curious Le- 

 gend of the Hare. — Coming of Age. — The Witch-doctor. — Amu- 

 lets. — Superstitions. — A Namaqua's notion of the Sun. — Marriage. 

 — Polygamy. — Children. — Barbarous Practice. — Longevity. — Sin- 

 gular Customs. — Ornaments. — Tattooing. — Arms. — Idle Habits. — 

 Fond of Amusements. — Music and Dancing. — Spirits. — Mead. — 

 Domestic Animals. 



Having now brought my narrative to a period when I am 

 about to leave Great Namaqua-land, it may be well to say a 



