MARCH.] JOURNEY TO BETHELSDORP. 
91 
axe, soon cut out an opening in a thicket of trees, where 
we had worship and breakfast, and where I sat writing 
most of the morning : indeed I hardly ever saw a litde 
spot more suited to my taste. A small river of good 
water winds almost round it. Thermometer at seven, 
A.M. 64; a few clouds: — at noon, 78; — at five, 
P.M. 74. 
This delightful spot on Kein River, I understand 
belongs to no one. It would be a charming situation 
for a missionary station. As there is water at present, 
immediately after summer, there is likely to be water 
all the year ; and the grass is good. I observed two 
kinds of broom, one bearing a yellow, and the other a 
blue flower. Ants' nests are numerous : in shape they 
resemble a baker s oven, and are from two to four feet 
high. These industrious creatures have their enemies, 
especially a creature about the size of a fox, who, 
after piercing a hole in the side of the nest, pushes in 
his tongue, when the unwary ants rush towards it in 
^ order to investigate what has happened. The tongue 
being covered with these insects, he draws it in, and 
swallows the whole. This he repeats till he has de- 
voured millions. The bees also sometimes covet and 
take possession of the house they have reared with so 
much labour. The boors also, when travelling, fre- 
quently clear out these nests, and use them as ovens 
for baking their bread. 
A female Hottentot belonging to Bethelsdorp, with 
her two children, joined our company. When I asked 
