98 
GERANIUM HOCKS. 
16, 17 March, 
We therefore returned to these ponds, and unpacked our oxen by the 
side of some remarkable masses of rock, which had much the ap- 
pearance of works of art, as if huge square blocks of stone had been 
regularly piled one upon another. This station is pointed out on the 
map by the name of Geranium Rocks ; and a representation of some 
of these rocks, is given in the vignette at page 80. After passing 
the Karro Poort *, plants of the Geranium tribe had rarely been met 
with ; and of these few, none had been found of so shrubby a growth, 
or perhaps of so pleasant a scent, as the species f which decorates 
this place. Around the ponds, I observed small quantities of 
fuller 's-earth, a substance which had not hitherto been any where 
noticed. 
I immediately sent Hendrik out to reconnoitre, and to observe 
if any colonists were in the neighbourhood. But soon after he was 
gone, Philip and his party appeared in sight, and, when they came 
up to us, explained that the five shots which had been heard, were 
fired by them, at a troop of quakkas ; none of which, however, they 
had been so fortunate as to obtain. 
Yet as no one had eaten since the preceding night, it was re- 
solved to make a second attempt ; and another troop of quakkas at 
that moment making their appearance on the plain, my whole party 
instantly went in pursuit. By dividing, and taking a wide circuit, 
they were enabled slowly and cautiously to advance upon them from 
every side ; so that it became impossible for the animals to escape 
without coming within shot of one or other of the men. This 
chanced to be Speelman ; and he was too good a marksman not to 
* The botanical remarks in the first volume, at pages 208 and 209, may in part be 
referred to this place. 
f As there was no opportunity of preserving a specimen of this plant, I cannot 
mention the species with certainty; although I believe it to have been the same which 
I found twelve months afterwards on the Table-mountain in the vicinity of a place 
denominated Horse's Grave ; and of which plant, the following is the description. 
Pelarg07iium tragacanthoides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2693. Frutex erectus ramosus 
bipedalis, odore grate terebinthaceo. Rami erecti subdichotomi, superne dense tecti 
petiolis emortuis persistentibus. Folia bipinnata, pubescentia, erecta, confertissima, basibus 
petiolorum imbricantibus. Panicul^ terminales, compositae ex umbelhs alternis sub- 
quadrifloris. Pedunculi umbellarum patentes. 
