CLIMATE OF VARIOUS DISTRICTS. 77 
habitants to be graziers, of migratory habits 
of life. 
Almost the only fresh-water lake in South 
Africa occurs in one of the wards of this divi- 
sion. It is situated on a high elevation of the 
Bokkeveld, and is called the Verkeerde Valley. 
It contains numbers of a species of fish, called 
by the Dutch the Witte-viseh. 
The climate of these districts is rather cold 
and sharp during the winter, the mountains 
being constantly covered with snow, and frost 
lying heavily on the ground. In the summer 
months, however, it is cooler and more agree- 
able than in the lower localities. 
Several hot mineral springs exist in various 
parts of these districts ; those at Caledon being 
in great repute, as efficacious in the cure of 
cases of chronic rheumatism, diseases of the 
skin, and scorbutic ulcers. Their heat is 92 
degrees, and their waters contain muriate of 
soda.* 
The climate throughout Swellendam is very 
salubrious — the average of the thermometer in 
the summer months being 76°. Its principal 
commodities for trade are grain, dried fruits, 
* Of all these baths, which are exceedingly numerous, and diversified 
in their ingredients, throughout the Western Province of the Colony, 
the most important is that situated in what is called the Brand Valley, 
about 10 miles from the village of Worcester. It issues from a calca- 
rious bottom, and always possesses an unvarying temperature of 14(K 
