334 TRAVELS IN 
division of each branch into pairs. Each of these subdivi- 
sions is terminated by a tuft of leaves, and the whole forms 
a large hemispherical crown supported upon a tapering trunk, 
which is generally of large diameter, but short in proportion 
to the vast circumference of the crown. This has been said 
sometimes to amount to many hundred feet. The largest I 
met with was about one hundred feet. It is called in the 
country the Kooker boom, or quiver tree, its pithy branches 
being employed by the Bosjesmans Hottentots as cases for 
their arrows. In some of the passes of the hills were thinly 
scattered several species of the geranium, among which was 
one, whose branches were armed with strong spines ; and also 
a tree Cotyledon, all the individuals of which appeared old, and 
stunted not unlike the artificial duarf trees invented and cul- 
tivated by the Chinese- 
Two mountain geese directed us by their flight to a spring 
of water, about twenty miles beyond the Lions' den. Though 
sufficiently copious for our present necessities, yet it was 
strongly impregnated with salt. At the distance often miles 
beyond this spot we arrived at the bed of the Hartebeest 
river, which, from the very lofty mimosas that skirted its 
banks, and entirely buried it within their extended branches, 
promised a plentiful stream. It happened, however, at this 
time, to be perfectly dry. The experiment of digging was 
made in the bed of the river, and, at five feet under the 
pebbly and crystallized sand, the fragments apparently of 
decomposed granite, we discovered a stream of clear fresh 
water; and from various experiments afterwards made in the 
