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SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
covered; at which time, namely, in the year 
1497, it is mentioned that Vasco de Gama, 
the Portuguese navigator, touched here, dis- 
covered it, and, on Christmas day of that year, 
gave to it the name of Terra Natalis. The 
extent of surface, in the portion of the Eastern 
coast of Southern Africa, that now bears this 
title, is about 18,000 square miles, situated in 
latitude 29 to 31 S. degrees. Like the rest of 
the Continent, it rises from the shores of the 
Indian Ocean in distinct steps or terraces. They 
are here four in number. Along the coast the 
heat is greatest, and towards the interior more 
equable. The prevailing character of the scenery 
is woodland and park-like, but this diminishes 
as the traveller advances inland, rising in ele- 
vation as well as attaining more moderate tem- 
perature in the interior. The atmosphere is 
clear and refreshing, except at the time of the 
hot winds, when it becomes oppressive. 
The two principal towns are D'Urban, the 
sea-port, containing a population of 1100, and 
that of Pieter Maritzburg, fifty miles in the in- 
terior, containing 1800 souls, including the 
military stationed there. Situated inland, be- 
yond the latter of these towns, are the Draken- 
berg or Quathlamba mountains; while, scat- 
tered through the various districts of the Colony 
are the rising villages of Richmond, Ladismith, 
