444 
NAMACQUA LAND. [1813. 
23rd. The ground was covered with white frost in 
the morning. Thermometer at sun-rise, 40. On 
looking round I observed that though the ground 
around was level, it lay as high as the tops of the 
highest mountains on the side of the Great River to 
the north, so that we had certainly been ascending the 
whole journey of the past day. We departed at seven 
A.M. and reached Rosine Fountain (Raison) at half 
past nine. TraveUing S.W. by W. Thermometer At 
noon, 78. 
There is a species of serpent which, on seeing man 
or beast approaching, endeavours to get to the wind- 
ward, when it spits its poison that it may be blown into 
the eyes of the enemy. If the least particle gets into 
the eyes, the person will be blind for some days. This 
is the means of defence with which providence has 
furnished it. The missionaries remark that in Namac- 
qua land, where there is good ground there is no water, 
and where there is water there is no good ground. 
Departed at four P.M. after the oxen had taken 
their last draught, till they should have accomplished 
a three days journey, over a desert of sand. We were 
favoured by a cool afternoon. As we passed along 
I observed an insect that emitted a sound resembling 
the Scotch bagpipe. 
24th. At two o'clock in the morning we had to 
encounter a sand hill which was a formidable obstruc- 
tion to our progress, and greatly fatigued our oxen. 
