Ill . TRAVELS IN 
to articles, therefore, the utility of which did 
not feem to have a direct objefl, I omitted 
nothing that might be neceffary to my prefer- 
vation In unforefeen circumftanees ; and I was- 
always afraid that I fhould have occafion to 
reproach myfelf with fome prejudicial negledl. 
The three months which I paffed at the Cape 
and in the neighbourhood, after my return 
from Saldanha Bay, w^ere fcarcely fufEcient fot 
making all thefe preparations. 
I had ordered two large four-M^heeled wag- 
gons to be conftrudled, which were covered 
with double fail-cloth ; and five large boxes, 
w^hich exadly fitted the bottom of one of thefe 
carriages, and w^hich could be opened without 
being difplaced : over thefe was a large mat- 
trefs, upon vv^hich I propofed to fleep during 
my journey, in cafe w^ant of time or any other 
circumftance fliould prevent me from erefling 
tents. This mattrefs rolled back upon the laft 
box, and it was there that I generally placed 
a cabinet or cheft of drawers deftined to receive 
infeds, butterflies^ and fucli tender objeds as 
required great care and attention. 
I had fo perfectly fucceeded in the conftruc- 
tion of this box ; my colledions were pre- 
ferved 
