264 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



These however (of whose names and natures we have no 

 particulars) are "sparingly scattered over the country;" 

 but not so with the Palms, which " grow in great numbers 

 here; their fruit, too, is excellent, while that of Palms 

 growing many miles further south is bitter." Palms do 

 not extend very far south in this part of Africa, as they 

 find their limit in this thirsty land within 20 south lati- 

 tude. 



The character of the Ovampo tribe very much increases 

 our respect for the much-despised Negro race. " They are 

 very national in their feelings, and proud of their country ; 

 and though almost naked savages, are a kind-hearted, cheer- 

 ful people, and very domestic ; everybody seems well to do, 

 and the few very old people are treated with particular re- 

 spect and care." In sad contrast to this race we should 

 find the natives on the western coast of the Australian part 

 of this zone ; but we have not sufficient materials to make 

 a journey through that large portion of Australia intelli- 

 gible. Those however who have landed on the coast de- 

 scribe it as dry and sandy, and without running water. Of 

 the "divers sorts of trees" which grow there, the most pre- 

 valent are the Dragon-trees (Dracana) ; but none of the 

 trees are large, nor do they grow very closely together in 



