32 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



are trees overhanging. It is quite a respectable river, and 

 cuts a considerable figure on the map in spite of the fact that 

 there is no water in it. While we were off doing geological 

 work, our Boer drivers dug a hole of three or four feet in 

 this river and succeeded in getting some mudd}' water, which 

 they used for making a little coffee. As there was not enough 

 for all, the rest of us sucked our oranges and went dry for 

 that lunch. A very large part of South Africa, with us, 

 would be counted unmitigated desert. They manage to 

 inhabit it however, and although the population is sparse 

 they raise their flocks and herds. One of the animals which 

 they most frequently raise is the ostrich. They are rather 

 peculiar animals, and have their own opinion of things. I 

 am sorry I have not a picture to illustrate what one of them 

 did. We were all getting out to look around, when an 

 ostrich about eight feet high came along and put his head 

 into the window of the train, absolutely at home, not afraid 

 of the trains and not afraid of mankind. However, he was 

 very prevaricated. Except in that one case, they were 

 always trotting away as fast as they could. The growth of 

 the ostrich is one of the great industries. The feathers are 

 of great value and one of the important exports. 



After passing through the Kara, we came to a range of 

 mountains, the Black Mountains they were called. We drove 

 through these mountains, and here you have our approach 

 to them. We passed through some very interesting scenery 

 there. The road wound around through the mountains. 

 They removed all of the big stones from it. It looks as if it 

 would stop there, but the road wound around and made its 

 way. Here is another of those little fortifications. This is 

 one of the points where supplies might come in, so here you 

 have the railway. The goats are scrambling up the mountain, 

 and fed while we were there. 



The mode of travel in South Africa before the early days 

 of the railroad was very primitive. I think I have a few 

 pictures, about three, here to illustrate the mode of travelling 

 in the out-of-the-way parts. You have a long team with 



