1891. ] Their Physical Geography and Ethnology. 
Qv 
spits. The bar at the Kei mouth is exceedingly small and the same 
is the case at the Umtata mouth, only there is a large rock in the 
midst of the channel at the latter, inside of which there is deep water. 
It is said this rock could with ease be removed by blasting. Without 
doubt the magnificent firth at the mouth of the St. Jobn’s River 
will become a large and important port. The drawback here is not 
so much the bar, for that shows a greater depth of water than the 
one at the Buffalo mouth, but the narrowness of the channel during 
the latter part of winter and autumn. Vessels of 60—100 tons go 
in and outat high water at all times. of the year. The outer anchorage 
is well sheltered by Cape Hermes and is close to the bar. From the 
mouth upwards the beautiful river, which is in parts over 400 yards 
wide, is navigable for small craft for over 10 miles. 
On the whole the geological formation of Kaffraria Proper may 
be said to be similar to that of Natal. Along the coast from St. 
John’s River mouth to Natal there is a belt of quartzite sandstone ; 
then there are belts of Ecca and Dwyka conglomerate. From the 
upper plateau right down to the base of the Zuurberg there is a 
mighty sandstone formation ranging vertically over more than 38,000 
feet. It is interspersed with coal measures, the principal of which 
are found at an altitude of from 4,000 to 4,800 feet above sea 
level. The formation extends horizontally over the whole upper 
terrace from the Indwe to Natal and represents the principal coal 
region of the Cape Colony. Numerous dykes of eruptive rock extend 
from the main range across the upper plateau. At present very little 
is known of the existence of minerals and precious stones. Copper 
is found in insignificant quantities in the Zuurberg near Mount Ayliff 
and on the higher parts of Eastern Pondoland. Lead and silver have 
been found on the Tonti Range and Tabainkulu in Pondoland and 
in some parts of the coast land between St. John’s River and the 
Bashee. Iron pyrites consisting of one half sulphur and one half 
iron are found in solid masses and in considerable quantity along 
the coast. Hast of St. John’s River graphite is found on the 
seashore and near the Umtamvuna there is asbestos. There have 
been frequent reports of gold discoveries, such as at Ongeluks Nek 
and on the Umga River in the Maclear District. If the specimens 
were really found in those localities, which is as yet doubtful, they 
are of too insignificant value to warrant any expenditure of money. 
There exists a strict relation between the geographical position, 
the direction and contour of the coastline and of the main elevation 
