NOVEL METHOD OF EXPELLING LOCUSTS. 135 



where we found for the first time several of the blue 

 korran, a species of Otis, which has only been 

 recently described. Groote Tafel Berg stood in 

 bold relief in the distance, forming a picturesque 

 back- ground. Towards the afternoon, as we ap- 

 proached the residence of another farmer, our at- 

 tention was attracted by a somewhat novel sight. 

 Several people were waving white flags in some cul- 

 tivated ground near the house. Upon drawing 

 nearer, we ascertained that this was a method 

 adopted by the farmer and his family to expel an 

 army of locusts which had just alighted on their 

 corn. They had been thus employed since sunrise, 

 and described the insects as being so numerous, that 

 it would take an hour's ride on horseback to reach 

 the extremity of the ground which they covered. It 

 was really distressing to witness the prospects of 

 these simple and industrious people so utterly de- 

 stroyed for that year. The Boor's wife told us they 

 had seven grown-up children, who were their chief 

 dependence, as they could not afford to purchase 

 slaves. It appeared that the Hottentots whom they 

 had brought up from childhood had lately left 

 them, and they were at this time almost destitute 

 of aid, having no means of engaging others. Their 

 situation was truly pitiable : in consequence of the 

 long droughts, their crops had entirely failed, and 

 they had been unable to obtain corn from their own 

 ,land for two years ; and now, after plentiful rains 



