90 



The Naturalist, 



most interesting studies. But in so short a period — eighteen months 

 — I really feel incapable of doing justice to the favorites, so I must 

 endeavour to draw an outline of first impressions of Nature's handi- 

 work in this country, or a portion thereof. I describe no circle round 

 which to travel. I sketch no plan or system of operations, but simply 

 and in a desultory manner, devoid of method, dot down ideas as they 

 crop up. As regards the topography of the Colony, my first impres- 

 sions were decidedly unfavourable. Eh ! live in this sandy wilderness 

 of infertility ? Perish the thought ! Truly it was a sore disappoint- 

 ment to a Briton accustomed to hawthorn hedges, ploughed land, and 

 hayfields. 



Rounding the corner of Cape Recife, we see a magnificent 

 bay. Far, far ahead the noble Winterhock upheaves its mighty arms, 

 and all the mountain dependents congregate around, until they seem 

 at last to merge into obscurity. Leftwards stretches the Algoa coast, 

 on which Port Elizabeth is situated. A visitor would imagine that 

 civilization, or its enemy, had tumbled a bagfull of houses on the top 

 of a rock ; some of these remained where they fell, others more pon- 

 derous dispersed themselves downwards, whilst the heaviest of all 

 rolled to the bottom. A practical inhabitant, unbiassed by fancy, 

 opposes such a fallacious theory. The main street, running parallel to 

 the beach, is admirably constructed, and the grand buildings erected 

 are ornaments of skill and worthy enterprise. Nature scantily provided 

 for her sister Artifice shifting sand, incorrigible rock, and poverty- 

 stricken soil (!). These were her gifts, coupled to which an over- 

 powering sea, backed up frequently by heavy S E winds, thundered 

 its giant strength against the paltry barriers raised by human labour. 

 Colonists encountered three ugly verbs : create — destroy — alter. 

 They struggled gallantly, and complete success crowned their efi'orts : 

 skill conquering force, a fine and healthy town is the result. Thus, 

 you will perceive it is not always wise to judge a locality from a 

 vessel's deck. 



Similarly was I deceived in the flora and fauna. I stupidly sought for 

 wild rose and blackberry,* dock and nettle, but found mimosa bushes, 

 prickly pears, proteas, stunted herbage, &c., filled the vacuum. If food 

 plant differed, insect life was there, and burdened pill-boxes soon 

 revealed the fact that 



One insect chooses 

 What another refuses, 

 or, more clearly expressed — 



* The blackberry occurs here, but is probably a visitor. 



