236 Topography, Scenery, Geology, &fc. 



grained granite, with large crystals of feldspar and tourmaline ; it is 

 much weathered and partially decomposed.] 



16, is a piece of the rock next above it. [This is a fine granular 

 quartz, tinged yellow by iron.] * 



17, is a stone often found among the debris of No. 15; in many 

 places the loose rocks have been washed entirely away, except leav- 

 ing heaps of these dark stones. [This is also a fine granular quartz.] 



18, is from a peculiar kind of earth 1 have several times seen here ; 

 opce doubtless much harder and firmer, as it is now in some places. 

 The stratum 1 saw to-day, was three feet wide and descending per- 

 pendicularly into the soil, directly over the granite before named. 

 It was as long as I chose to travel it. [This is a ferruginous earthy 

 mass, not unlike ochre, but more siliceous.] 



1 send you also a twig or branch from the silver tree, the only 

 tree, (and this but a bush,) growing on the sides of Table Mountain. 

 Also some of the heaths and low bushes from thence ; the Hotten- 

 tot fig, bearing a fruit which, when ripe, supplies the Hottentot with 

 food ; a twig from the African fir, &.c. 1 am sorry that the time of 

 flowers has not yet come. G. C. 



[There are among specimens labeled, "given me by my friends at 

 Tullagh," beautiful crystals of quartz, some of which are transparent, 

 iridescent and splendid as those of Lake George, in the state of New- 

 York ; there are also pieces of hornstone and jasper, and of amygda- 

 loidal trap. Among the pieces not labeled, are pebbles of quartz, 

 granite, slate, Sec] 



[There is also a rich iron ore, apparently a variety of haematite, 

 but resembling bog iron. We must not omit to mention a fine frag- 

 ment of calcareous spar, of the Iceland crystal variety, nor an ele- 

 gant group of modern serpulas, in which hundreds of the contorted 

 calcareous tubes are united, and their interior, where it is exposed, 

 presents a high degree of lustre, which is almost pearly.] 



[The soil from the suburbs of Cape Town, is little else than quartz, 

 tino'ed yellow by iron ; it appears to be the result of the decomposi- 

 tion of quartz rock or sandstone, and presents sufficient evidence, 

 that it must be sterile unless ameliorated by the addition of argilla- 

 ceous or calcareous ingredients, or of organic matter.] 



[The fruit of the venerable pear-tree, arrived in safety, dried rath- 

 er than decomposed ; its juices had stained the paper wrapper, and 

 insects had found a lodgement in it, but there was no unpleasant 

 odor, and its taste was rather agreeable, like that of dried fruit.] 



