CHAPTER IV. 
THE PHYSICAL GEOGEAPHY, TOGETHEE WITH A TOPOGEAPHICAL 
SKETCH, OE THE WESTEEIS" PEOVII^CE OE THE OLD CAPE 
COLONY. 
We next turn to a sketch of tlie physical 
aspect, and geographical formation, of South 
Africa, together with an outline of its territorial 
divisions, products, and commercial statistics. 
Ere touching these, however, the peculi- 
arities of the atmosphere attract our attention, 
and, in this, nothing more, perhaps, than the 
noted phenomenon of "The Table Cloth/' which 
is viewed with wonder by all strangers, who 
sight the Cape — spreading, over the summit 
of the Table Mountain. This is a large cloud ; 
formed, apparently, by the S. E. wind which 
prevails at the Cape, and generally blows, 
a very few days excepted, for the whole of the 
summer months, appearing to be generated by 
the neighbourhood of the mountain. A few 
hours after this wind commences, the vapours, 
in the upper region of the atmosphere, become 
condensed, by striking against the cooler sur- 
face of the mountain, and roll forward in large 
masses; on which, the sun shining brightly. 
