ATTRACTIVE NATIVES. 265 



scattered over the country, the leaves of its umbrella- 

 shaped top being the favourite food of the animal 

 from which it takes its name. At the season of the 

 year in which this tree is in blossom, the whole air 

 is impregnated with the aromatic perfume produced 

 by its yellow flowers. Not many years ago all this 

 country swarmed with the larger species of antelopes, 

 as well as quagga and ostriches ; but skin-hunters, 

 and other abominations of civilisation, have either 

 exterminated the beauties or driven them into distant 

 regions. Springbok and lesser game are still to be 

 found here in considerable quantities ; in fact, they 

 are in sufficient numbers to satisfy all such persons 

 as shoot alone for sport. In the afternoon our course 

 was directed more to the eastward, and about the 

 time the sun dipped the western horizon, we reached 

 a most picturesquely- situated kraal, with many trees 

 growing within the enclosure of its fence, and a 

 goodly grove around it. The men were temporarily 

 absent ; but this did not prevent the women and 

 children visiting us, the former supplying the camp with 

 an abundance of milk, the latter, quite regardless of 

 age and size, mixing freely among my people. One 

 very good trait all these coloured races possess, that 



