194 THE HUNTERS ARCADIA. 



is in reality upon the other foot ; for no one, if we 

 except a Whitechapel Jew, a Greek, or a Scotchman, 

 would have any chance of holding his own with these 

 aborigines in a trade. Our ride to the wagons took us 

 between numerous copjes, with large timber growing 

 in groups upon them, the intermediate ground being 

 generally fair grazing land. Nor are flowers wanting 

 to give a charm to the landscape. The most remark- 

 able of these is the flowering aloe, whose brilliancy of 

 colour is most striking. They are generally to be found 

 in some rocky, isolated position, as if keeping watch 

 and ward over the country ; while close to them, often 

 in their immediate vicinity, curious-looking euphorbias 

 rear their heads. In the grasses, on the more level 

 ground, the eye frequently rested on the lobelia, while 

 heliotrope and the flowering verbena are in such 

 profusion that I doubt not that the horses crushed 

 quantities of them every few paces ; but their scent 

 is sadly deficient in comparison to their English 

 congeners. When there is more moisture in the 

 soil than at present the floral exhibition doubtless 

 will be much finer ; but the land, as it is now, affords 

 abundant proof what a fine pasture country this might 

 become with a little care. 



