122 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
Throughout the upper districts also, iron 
largely preponderates; and, in the division of 
Graaff-Beinet, cornelians, topaz, and bloodstones 
are occasionally picked up. Fossil remains have 
been found, both in these parts, and at Beau- 
fort, where a skeleton of an antediluvian quad- 
ruped, in a perfect state, was discovered some 
few years ago. 
In proportion to the small extent, to which 
subterranean research has as yet been carried 
in Africa, the knowledge and indications of 
metallic and mineral products is very great; 
and sufficient encouragement is, at least, given 
to induce further examination. Nor is it pos- 
sible fully to estimate, at present, the amalga- 
mations which may be discoverable in the ores 
of this continent. 
Salt-pans also exist near Uitenhage; one 
situated near Bethelsdorp, which belongs to the 
London Missionary Society's Institution there, 
being said to yield, in good seasons, 316,000 
bushels. This quantity, sold at the market price 
of 6<£ per bushel, thus realising, alone, an in- 
come of £7900 per annum to that Institution. 
The soil, around these salt-pans, consists, 
generally, of a sharp gravel, formed of decom- 
posed schistus. In some parts, however, it ap- 
pears to be of a calcareous stratum, strewed over 
with flints. The "pans " then spread out over an 
