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IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGY. 
2 July, 
The geological character of the Transgariepine, as far as my 
observations enable me to give an opinion, appears very simple. It 
is that which has been termed primitive. But its most remarkable 
feature, is the undisturbed, and generally unbroken state of its great 
strata : these lie in, what may be supposed, their original position, and 
present rarely any evidence of those violent convulsions of nature 
which, beyond all doubt, have once, at some immeasurably remote 
period of time, shaken the whole fabric of the globe. 
Equally with astronomy, the science of geology is capable of 
leading the human mind to the most sublime prospects of the creation ; 
and presents, for man's reflection, the most interesting subjects which 
can engage the attention of a liberal and enlightened understanding. 
It places before our eyes, and in our hands, the clear and legible 
record of an antiquity, compared with which, all other records are 
but the tale of yesterday. It offers to us, if I may use the expression, 
the most tangible proofs of the aweful power of that inconceivably 
Glorious, and Incomprehensible Being, by the spirit of whose Wisdom, 
all which we behold has risen into existence ; and which may sink 
into chaos, whenever, at His nod, a similar convulsion may happen 
again. 
In collecting information from the mouths of others, even the 
natives of the country, a traveller here should consider himself as 
always liable to be deceived, notwithstanding his greatest caution in 
examining into the probability of what is told him. On the authority 
of Muchilnka, whom there was every reason for supposing well 
acquainted with this country, I recorded in my journal that the source 
of the Makkwarin was at a great distance eastward of this place ; 
which would imply at least a hundred miles : but an inspection of 
the map will show that we passed in every direction eastward, within 
a dozen miles, and yet found no traces of it, unless the ravine at my 
' Garden ' should lead into it ; although it appears more probable 
that this is connected with the Kruman. 
In these wild regions, where little is to be procured but 
what nature gives, every useful article of European manufacture 
becomes invaluable. With this conviction, it was judged worth 
