SOUTHERN AFRICA. 355 
of cattle and of sheep are equally good ; the horses in gene- 
ral much better, but they are subject to the same endemic 
disease that prevails in most parts of GraafF Reynet. It is 
here, however, very partial, for while" it rages at the foot of 
the mountains, there is not the smallest danger on the flat 
summit, on which account this part of the mountain is 
appropriated to the public use, each inhabitant having the 
privilege of sending thither eight horses during the sickly 
season. 
As in theSneuwberg, they are here also very much infested 
with locusts. One troop of these insects, in their last stage 
of existence, passed on the wing along the eastern side of the 
mountain, when we were encamped there. For several hours 
they continued to hover in the air as they passed along, at 
such a height as not to be individually distinguished ; but 
their immense numbers formed a kind of fleecy cloud, that 
completely took off the radiated beams of the mn, and made 
it appear as when seen through a mist. Like a thin cloud, 
also, they cast a confused shadow on the ground. In the 
Bokkeveld and the Khamies berg, for the two last years, 
these insects have been particularly troublesome. After re- 
peated experiments to get rid of them, they at last hit upon 
one that at least saved their corn. This they effected by 
making fires of sour acrid plants, by the smoke of which they 
were driven away ; having, however, repeatedly extinguished 
the fires by the myriads that flew into them. 
Leaving the Hantam, and proceeding south-easterly, I 
ascended the heights of Roggeveld, that are separated only 
z z 2 
