32 
GRASS STATION. — ROASTING A LIZARD. 
2 March, 
grass of the most luxuriant color and growth, and which meandered 
through extensive meadows of excellent soil. This spot is marked 
by the name of Grass Station ; and hence upwards, the pools of the 
river follow each other so closely that a few showers would soon 
render them confluent. 
We did not discover any fish in these waters ; but observed a 
very pretty and 7iew species of frog * of a green color, and marked 
by a longitudinal yellow stripe on its back, and by transverse stripes 
of brown on its hind legs. It was further distinguished by its silence, 
or at least by croaking very seldom. Whether this silence be only 
occasional, or a constant character throughout the year, I could, 
as a traveller, have no opportunity of ascertaining. 
Immediately on our arrival we made a fire and discharged a 
musket as a guide and signal for Speelman and the others, who had 
kept at a distance from the main body in hopes of falling in with 
game ; and who were then out of sight. In half an hour they came 
home : they laid the blame of their absence upon the Bushman who 
was with them ; who, on the way, happening to observe a lizard, 
pursued it with great eagerness, and having caught it, begged them 
to halt while he made a fire. This was soon done, and almost 
as soon was the lizard roasted : then cutting open the body, which 
he knew contained a number of eggs, he greedily devoured them 
in a manner which shewed that they were considered a dainty 
morsel. Speelman^ who, though a Hottentot, had a more delicate 
stomach than this man, declared that, as he stood looking on with 
astonishment and disgust, he could hardly restrain himself from 
vomiting : indeed the bare recital of the circumstance seemed to re- 
vive all the nausea which he had then felt. 
But before we agree with Speelman, and pronounce this Bush- 
man a monster, let us lay aside all the prejudices of education and 
* Rana fasciata, B. Viridis. Parum vociferans. Dorsum fascia longitudinale flava 
pictum. Femora transverse fusco-fasciata. Corpus parvum breve. Pedes vix palmati. 
— Ranee (nec Hylce, nec Bufonis, nec Pipce) est vera species, forma pedum non ob- 
stante. 
