304 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXXIV. 



ticks which had taken possession of the waggons, 

 and give the Hottentots an opportunity of dancing 

 in the new year. 



Together with the old year, we had fairly bidden 

 adieu to the great plains of the Vaal River, which 

 to the traveller appear to be completely taken pos- 

 session of by wild animals, and may with strict 

 propriety be termed the domain of savage nature. 

 A region, to the perception as vast and trackless 'as 

 the ocean, and like it presenting an undisturbed 

 horizon^ is spread out, from the Cashan Mountains, 

 into one level and treeless expanse of serene and 

 sunny plain. In vain we seek for the bewitching 

 variety of hill or dale, forest or glade, which con- 

 stitutes the charm of landscape — the eye wanders 

 on without the smallest check over endless flats, 

 which are utterly wearisome from their extent and 

 monotony. Yet nature has endeavoured in some 

 measure to supply the deficiency by decking them 

 out in her gayest flowers, and in some of the most 

 eccentric and attractive forms that exist in the 

 vegetable world. The chandelier plant, and purple 

 amaryllis, with many other splendid bulbs, grow 

 wild in profusion ; and being interspersed witli 

 geraniums, several species of the cactus, and an 

 endless variety of the succulent green-house plant 

 called the Hottentot fig, literally impart to the 

 waste the appearance of a flower-garden. 



The monotony of this extraordinary wilderness 

 is at length broken in upon by the Wittebergen, or 

 Quathlamba Mountains, a broad basaUic belt that 



