376 A JOURNEY IN 
Both the banks of the Orange river were at this part of it 
thickly covered with mimosas and willows and a great 
variety of other trees, whose names and descriptions are not 
mentioned. A little beyond the right bank the great quan- 
tity of a species of shrubby mimosa, seldom higher than seven 
or eight feet, with a small white leaf, v/as very remarkable. 
It was the prevailing feature on the surface of the country 
for tAventy or thirty miles, though not a single plant of the 
kind had appeared on the Cape side of the river. Here also 
they found, growing in great abundance, a species of wild 
onion, of a taste as strong and pungent nearly as that of 
gaj'lic ; notwithstanding which it was so highly acceptable to 
the travellers, that ihey laid in an ample supply for future 
use on the journey. The leaves, flowers and seeds re- 
sembled those of the common cultivated species. On the 
margin of the river they found, in great plenty, a small and 
delicate orange-coloured poppy ; and, creeping over a great 
extent of surface, a very fragrant species of Clematis or Vir- 
gin's bower. The agate, onyx, sardonyx and chalcedony 
abounded on the pebbled bed of the river, of which they col- 
lected some very beautiful specimens. Several hippopotami 
were observed rolling about, blowing and snorting in the 
deep parts of the river, at a little distance below the ford ; 
and one was severely wounded by a musket ball, but it 
escaped. 
Leaving the river on the 6th, they travelled till the 8th 
befoi:^ they met with any water when, after pushing their 
way where neither traces of waggons nor tracks of any kind 
