114 



A NATURALIST IN THE TRANSVAAL. 



mining capacities, and had these lines been earlier 

 constructed Pretoria might have become the terminus 

 for Central Africa. 



As I returned the dry season proclaimed its advent 

 by the frequency of grass-fires, and the few residents 

 one met affirmed that the rains were over for the season ; 

 so certain were they on this score that my wagon was 

 not even provided with its sail-covering in case of wet, 

 an omission that might have caused much discomfort, 

 as a storm went before us to Pietersburg and exceed- 

 ingly heavy rain fell there on May 2nd, the day before 

 we arrived. At Pietersburg we met men going up to 

 and coming down from Mashonaland ; and though 

 much doubt still exists, we shall see whether British 

 enterprise in that new Protectorate is not as capable of 

 producing a country, from a " geographical expression," 

 as successfully as other influences have created the 

 Transvaal, thanks to its auriferous deposits and its 

 attendant European settlers. 



MAGWAMBA CABVINGS, 



