MOUNTAIN KXVERS, &C. 71 
plaints. The attraction of this, together with 
the acknowledged salubrity of the climate, and 
the superiority of the growth of the orange and 
lemon trees, makes this district a favourite 
resort for invalids and visitors from the East. 
At the Sonth of the district, and on the 
extreme North of Simon's Bay, lies Groote 
Drakenstein, which is noted for some large and 
deep caves. They were excavated, upwards of 
100 years ago, (by order of the Dutch Go- 
vernment,) in search for silver. 
Several small rivers rise in the mountains, 
situated in the S. E. of this district, and flow 
through the valley beneath, supplying the va- 
rious farms with adundant irrigation. These 
streamlets are not, however, confined to this 
district, but extend throughout the undulating 
lands which stretch along the whole Southern 
coast of Africa, and are bounded on the North 
by the long coast-chain of mountains ; which, 
running East and West across the continent, 
(at about 30 miles distance from the ocean,) 
forms that first terrace which is presented to the 
mariner's eye. 
The Zwaarte Bergen, or Black Mountain, as 
has been said, rising yet higher, and branching 
out into double and treble ranges, is the next 
chain of elevation to this, that is noticeable. 
These are more rugged and uneven than the 
