BEAUTY OF COUNTEY AT UNKU. 185 



the custom of the Bamangwato, the Bechuanas come hither in 

 search of skins and food among the Bushmen ; but he could 

 not be made to comprehend that there was no danger in the 

 consignment. He feared the responsibility and guilt if any thing 

 should happen to them ; so I had to bid adieu to all hope of 

 letting my family hear of my welfare till I should reach the west 

 coast. 



At Unku we came into a tract of country which had been vis- 

 ited by refreshing showers long before, and every spot was covered 

 with grass run up to seed, and the flowers of the forest were in 

 full bloom. Instead of the dreary prospect around Koobe and 

 Nchokotsa, we had here a delightful scene, all the ponds full of 

 water, and the birds twittering joyfully. As the game can now 

 obtain water every where, they become very shy, and can not be 

 found in their accustomed haunts. 



1st March. The thermometer in the shade generally stood at 

 98° from 1 to 3 P.M., but it sank as low as 65° by night, so that 

 the heat was by no means exhausting. At the surface of the 

 ground, in the sun, the thermometer marked 125°, and three inches 

 below it 138°. The hand can not be held on the ground, and even 

 the horny soles of the feet of the natives must be protected by 

 sandals of hide ; yet the ants were busy working on it. The wa- 

 ter in the ponds was as high as 100°; but as water does not con- 

 duct heat readily downward, deliriously cool water may be ob- 

 tained by any one walking into the middle and lifting up the water 

 from the bottom to the surface with his hands. 



Proceeding to the north, from Kama-kama, we entered into 

 dense Mohonono bush, which required the constant application of 

 the axe by three of our party for two days. This bush has fine sil- 

 very leaves, and the bark has a sweet taste. The elephant, Avith 

 his usual delicacy of taste, feeds much on it. On emerging into 

 the plains beyond, we found a number of Bushmen, who afterward 

 proved very serviceable. The rains had been copious, but now 

 great numbers of pools were drying up. Lotus-plants abounded 

 in them, and a low, sweet-scented plant covered their banks. 

 Breezes came occasionally to us from these drying-up pools, but 

 the pleasant odor they carried caused sneezing in both myself and 

 people; and on the 10th of March (when in lat. 19° 16' 11" S., 

 long. 24° 24' E.) we were brought to a stand by four of the 



