252 SINGULAR SNUFF-BOXES. 



valleys on a hot day, the temperature is extremely 

 oppressive. The soil is rich, especially on the flats 

 near the margins of the rivers, and along the hill- 

 sides, where the Caffers cultivate pumpkins, melons, 

 a small species of millet called Caffer corn, and 

 maize or Indian corn, which grows to an unusual 

 height. Where the Missionaries reside they have 

 introduced grapes, figs, oranges, lemons, apricots, 

 peaches, nectarines, pomegranates, quinces, mulber- 

 ries, almonds, and various sorts of vegetables, which 

 in many places flourish luxuriantly. The Ama- 

 pondas grow large quantities of sweet potatoes or 

 yams. Tobacco is cultivated throughout the country, 

 being usually planted on the side of the old kraals, 

 where it thrives luxuriantly. The Amakosa tribes 

 are the only nation that smoke it, the others pre- 

 ferring it ground into snuff, and mixing with it the 

 ashes of burnt aloes, to make it more pungent. The 

 Amapondas form their snuff-boxes out of a reed, 

 which they thrust through the lobe of one of their 

 ears, the spoon with which they convey it to their 

 noses being carried in the other. The other nations 

 usually carry their snuff in a small tortoise-shell, 

 with a spoon attached, which they suspend to their 

 kaross. 



From the Bashee River to Natal, the want of rain 

 is seldom experienced and the grass is always green, 

 the bush and forest extending along the mountains 

 for several miles, while the thorny mimosa, the cas- 



