Chap. VIE. BEAUTY OF COUNTRY AT UNKU. 1G7 



the custom of the Baruangwato, 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 anything 

 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 

 visited 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 everywhere, they become very shy, and cannot 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 cannot be held on the ground, 

 and even the horny soles of the feet of the natives must be pro- 

 tected by sandals of hide ; yet the ants were busy working on it. 

 The water in the ponds was as high as 100° ; but as water does 

 not conduct heat readily downwards, deliciously cool water may 

 be obtained 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 

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

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

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

 afterwards 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 odour 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 



