South African Institution. 223 



Bushmen existed even long before Europeans visited South Africa, 

 and that they had possibly been coeval with the Hottentots them- 

 selves. He mentions that communities or families, of a character 

 similar to what we understand by the term " Bushmen," inhabit all 

 the barren wastes of Great Namaqualand, and conduct themselves 

 towards' the Hottentots and Damaras in their vicinity, exactly as those 

 immediately in advance of our frontier do towards the colonists. 

 It was then stated, that the majority of them are decidedly of the 

 genuine Hottentot race ; and, after some details in regard to their 

 mental character, external physiology, and modes of living, hunt- 

 ing, conducting their depredations, &c. the paper concluded with 

 " an earnest recommendation to such members as may have been 

 in the habit of observing our savage tribes, to embody their re- 

 marks for occasions like the pi*esent," as tending to personal and 

 general benefit. 



Sept. 30.— Read, "Sketches ofthe'Botany of South Africa," No. 2. 

 By Mr. Bowie. — The author stated, that the number of plants indi- 

 genous to South Africa was unknown, but, to his practical know- 

 ledge, the Cape colony contained more species of phaenogamous 

 plants than have been allotted to the whole of Africa by the most 

 complete though conjectural calculations on record. He con- 

 tinued by observing, that however careful the botanist might be in 

 his researches, he would find, by visiting the same grounds in the 

 corresponding seasons of different years, many plants which had 

 hitherto escaped his notice altogether; and, in conclusion, furnished 

 a list of 244 plants belonging to 99 genera, which might be expected 

 to flower in the Cape District during the months of October and 

 November. 



" Notes on the Earthquakes which occurred at the Cape of 

 Good Hope during the month of December 1809, &c." By Mr. von 

 Buchenroder. — In this communication the author gave a full detail 

 of the effects of the various shocks, more particularly at Cape Town, 

 Jan Beesjie's Kraal, and Blaauweberg Valley; and also furnished a 

 minute register of the barometer, thermometer, and winds, between 

 the 4th and 27th of the month, in which the phsenomena in question 

 took place. 



A paper was read, entitled " Remarks on the Phocae or Seals 

 met with on the coasts of South Africa, with other observations." 

 By Mr. Jardine. 



" Sketches of the Botany of South Africa," No. 3. By Mr. Bowie. 

 — The author, after a variety of general remarks, concluded with a 

 list of the plants that might be expected to flower in the Cape District 

 during the months of December, January, February, and March. 



" A Visit to some of the Caffre Tribes beyond the Colony." By 

 Mr. Gill. — The hordes ofPato, Zambi, Henza, and Vosanie, came 

 under review ; and the author described at some length a variety 

 of the manners and customs of those savages, as well as furnished 

 a detailed account of the character of the country over which he 

 travelled. The latter he illustrated by a plan, showing the direc- 

 tions and positions of the mountains, rivers, &c. 



A paper 



