424 THE NGAMI WHEN DISCOVERED NAMES. 



ingly expending their resources and energies to solve the grand 

 problem. 



The cause of all these failures was chiefly to be found in 

 the desert and inhospitable regions which lie between the 

 explorers and the supposed lake, commonly known as the 

 Kalahari desert. Toward the close of 1849, however, and 

 when the hope of our being able to overcome this apparently 

 insurmountable barrier was almost extinguished, the great 

 object was accomplished by the persevering exertions of 

 Messrs. Oswell, Livingstone, and Murray, and the existence 

 was made known of a fine fresh-water lake in the centre of 

 South Africa. 



This important and highly interesting discovery at once 

 opened a new and extensive field for the inquiries of the ge- 

 ographer and the naturalist, and gave a fresh impulsQ to the 

 enterprising and speculating spirit of the colonists of South- 

 ern Africa. The lake was described as a magnificent sheet 

 of water, abounding in fish and hippopotami, and the coun- 

 try around as well stocked with elephants and other large 

 game, while the vegetation was said to be on the most lux- 

 uriant scale. The discovery excited very considerable in- 

 terest. 



The Lake goes with the natives by different names — all of 

 which are more or less appropriate — such as Inghabe (the gi- 

 raffe) ; Noka ea Botletle (lake of the Botletle) ; Noka ea Mo- 

 horon (lake of boats) ; and Ngami, or The Waters. As the 

 last designation is the one by which the Lake is best known 

 to Europeans, I will retain it throughout the remainder of 

 this narrative. 



As before said, on taking a nearer survey of the Lake, I 

 experienced some disappointment as to its attractions. It is, 

 however, indisputably a fine sheet of water, but in size is 

 somewhat overrated, the estimation of its length alone being 

 at one time considered no less than one hundred miles, and 

 the width about fifteen or sixteen. The misconception may 



