KAROO CATTLE. 313 



the wells ; the cattle every third day, and the camels 

 every fourth day." * In the very hottest and driest 

 weather, however, they water them somewhat oftener, 

 " while during winter, they go more rarely, and from 

 the commencement of the rains it is no longer needful 

 for them to be taken there." f 



In South Africa also, the cattle reared by certain 

 Kaffir tribes inhabiting dry Karoos, are said not to 

 require water more than once in two days, at any 

 time: whereas cattle bred in well-\vatered districts of 

 the temperate zone, seem to require water at least 

 twice a day or say morning and evening. It is also 

 certain that in some of the Karoo districts cattle and 

 especially sheep and goats, can live upon the succulent 

 Karoo bush for considerable periods without drinking; 

 these dwarf tufts of bush, notwithstanding their dry 

 and uninviting appearance, being so full of sap, that 

 they seem to take the place of the Swedish Turnip 

 on English farms for stock feeding; but when these 

 succulent plants begin to wither of course it will ne- 

 cessitate the cattle at all events, being removed to 

 places where there is water, and probably the sheep also. 



Mr. H. A. Bryden, a member of the South African 

 Committee, writing on this subject says: 



" The Karoo vegetation despite its parched-up appearance 

 is so succulent that the flocks can without inconvenience do 

 without water. It may be astounding to the uninitiated to 

 learn that in South Africa, of all places in the world, animals 

 can live and thrive, for long months, upon pasture absolutely 

 waterless: yet such is the case." 



* Le Desert et Ic Soudan, par le Comte D'Escayrac de Lauture, 

 1853, pp. 286 7 (translated from the French), 

 f Ibid., p. 28:. 

 Kloof and Karoo , by H. A. Bryden. 



