G. C. 



236 Topography, Scenery, Geology, ^-c. 



grained granite, with large crystals of feldspar and tourmaline ; it is 

 much weathered and partially decomposed.] 



16, is a piece of the rock next above it. [This is a fine granular 



quartz, tinged yellow by iron.] 



17, is a stone often found among the debris of No. 15; in many 

 places the loose rocks have been washed entirely away, except leav- 

 mg heaps of these dark stones. [This is also a fine granular quartz.] 



18, is from a peculiar kind of earth I have several times seen here ; 

 opce doubtless much harder and firmer, as it is now in some places. 

 The stratum 1 saw to-day, was three feet wide and descending per- 

 pendicularly into the soil, directly over the granite before named. 

 It was as long as I chose to travel it. [This is a ferruginous earthy 

 mass, not unlike ochre, but more siliceous.] 



1 send you also a twig or branch from the silver tree, the only 

 tree, (and this but a bush,) growing on the sides of Table Mountain. 

 Also some of the heaths and low bushes from thence ; the Hotten- 

 tot fig, bearing a fruit which, when ripe, supplies the Hottentot with 

 food ; a twig from the African fir, Uc. 1 am sorry that thejin^e of 



flowers has not yet come. 



[There are among specimens labeled, " given me by my friends at 

 TuUagh," beautiful crystals of quartz, some of which are transparent, 

 iridescent and splendid as those of Lake George, in the state of New- 

 York ; there are also pieces of hornstone and jasper, and of araygda- 

 loidal trap. Among the pieces not labeled, are pebbles of quartz, 

 granite, slate, Stc] 



[There is also a rich iron ore, apparently a variety of haematite, 

 but resembling bog iron. We must not omit to mention a fine frag- 

 ment of calcareous spar, of the Iceland crystal variety, nor an ele- 

 gant group of modern serpulas, in which hundreds of the contorte 

 calcareous tubes are united, and their interior, where it is exposed, 

 presents a high degree of lustre, which is almost pearly.] 



[The soil from the suburbs of Cape Town, is little else than quartz, 

 tinged yellow by iron ; it appears to be the result of the decomposi- 

 tion of quartz rock or sandstone, and presents sufficient evidence, 

 that it must be sterile unless ameliorated by the addition of argilla- 

 ceous or calcareous ingredients, or of organic matter.] 



[The fruit of the venerable pear-tree, arrived in safety, dried rath- 

 er than decomposed ; its juices had stained the paper wrapper- an 



insects bad found a lodgement in it, but tbere was no unpleasan 

 odor, and its taste was ratber a£reeable, like tbat of dried fruit.J 



