AFRICA. 4^3 
the fate of many others, and m all proba- 
bility be no better obferved, if local difficul- 
ties did not enfure its execution. But the im- 
poffibillty of penetrating thefe forefts of reeds 
difcourages the hunters, and fecures the breed 
of hippopotamufes more effedually than laws, 
which in general are feldom regarded, and the 
rigour of which, at the expence of twenty 
or thirty rixdoUars, may with certainty be 
averted. 
After having vifited the Bay of St. Helen's, 
I proceeded along the fea fhore to that of Sal- 
danha. Both abounded alike with fpermaceti 
whales. In the fingle cove called Hoetjes- 
Bay^ I counted two-and-thirty playing to- 
gether. It is perfedlly aftonifhing that the 
governors of the Cape have never thought 
of this branch of commerce, which unquef- 
tlonably would be very lucrative ; but it 
would be neceffary to leave it enth'ely to 
the coloniRs, merely referving certain ^ du- 
ties on the fifhery for the company. It is 
to be hoped, that the Dutch government will 
ibme day perceive the neceffity of attend- 
ing feriouily to the affairs of this interefting 
fettlement. They have only to leave the in- 
. habitants 
