SOUTHERN AFRICA. 305 
On the fifth we crossed Gauritz river, the western Hmit of 
the division of Mossel bay. This river may properly be 
called the Sink of the Colony. All the waters that have their 
origin within the distance of one hundred and fifty miles to the 
eastward, and as far to the westward, upon the Great Karroo 
and the mountains to the northward of it, meet in one im- 
mense chasm of the Zwarteberg or chain nearest the sea- 
shore, and are discharged through the channel of the Gauritz 
river. The sudden and copious inundations of this river are 
almost beyond credibility. The ruins of a house are still to 
be seen, that is said to have been destroyed by a swelling of 
the river, though the site cannot be much less than a hundred 
feet above the level of the channel ; at this time all its nu- 
merous branches scarcely supplied it with water sufficient to 
cause a current. 
From Gauritz we proceeded to one of its branches, the 
False river, near which we observed a great variety of brown 
and yellow ochres, and an abundance of that curious stone 
already mentioned under the jiame of Paint stone. 
On the sixth we passed several rivulets whose united 
streams form the Kafter Kuyl's river. In advancing towards 
the Cape, the country became better inhabited ; neat houses 
stood on the banks of all the rivers, and the gardens, and 
vineyards, and fruiteries, were more extensive, and kept in a 
better state of culture. The surface of the country inter- 
jacent between the rivers was very irregular, the soil dry clav 
and chalk, and was fit for little else than a sheep pasture. It 
produced a great quantity of shrubs, among which was one 
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