SIX MONTHS AT CAPE TOWN. 71 



stock, and we often bring them in for their evening perfume. 

 The bulbs were very gay when we landed, but are now nearly all 

 out of flower. 



The articulated cactus-looking plant mentioned in my first 

 letter is a favourite hedge with washerwomen to dry clothes 

 on. I find it is a Cactus with a yellow flower, an exotic of 

 course, the cacti being all American. It is now in blow along 

 the road-sides. The Mexican Aloe or Agave is also a common 

 hedge plant, and very striking with its magnificent panicles of 

 flowers. A favourite tree in the gardens here is the Nerium, 

 or Oleander, which grows to the height of thirty or forty 

 feet. 



I have written to H. a full account of our villa. Only think 

 of our having a grove of pomegranates to shade the sink in the 

 back yard ! They are now quite showy with their bright 

 scarlet blossoms. Apropos, I have eaten plantains, and think 

 them but mawkish indifferent stuff, but they are worth culti- 

 vating, were it only to look at, for they are very picturesque. 



I have taken a walk to the flats, and got sundry novelties. 

 Among them are two new Orchidese, and a pretty little bulb I had 

 not before seen, by name Gethyllis sjnralis. It somewhat re- 

 sembles a white autumnal crocus, and flowers without leaves. 

 I had also the pleasure of finding for myself a nondescript 

 Watsonia, which Sir J. Herschel had sent me from another 

 station a few days ago. 



"While walking about in a low marshy place, I was amused 

 by watching a large secretary bird, stalking about, soberly and 

 gracefully, within a few yards of me ; but he would not allow 

 me to approach near. I need not say in what neighbourhood I 

 was, as you doubtless know that his food is snakes. He was at 

 luncheon. I am now so used to these reptiles that I never 

 think of them except when they cross my path, which is but 

 seldom. Tortoises and lizards are very common, while snails 

 are great rarities. I have as yet seen but two species, and of 

 these only about half-a-dozen individuals. The garden is alive 

 with frogs, which regale us every night with their hateful, 

 wearisome chuckle, thoroughly discordant. 



I have just received a parcel of North American plants from 

 Professor Torrey of New York, many of them both interesting 

 and pretty. I heard yesterday from Hooker of poor Drum- 



