314 
THE SEA COW RIVER. [1820. 
and immediately entered another plain of about 
twelve miles in circumference, entirely inclosed 
by beautiful low hills. Having crossed the plain, 
we halted at a pass, where there was a little 
water and grass, at half past eight a.m. This 
opening led to another plain of a square form, 
and very similar to the one we had just quitted. 
Therm, at sunrise 34, having ascended to high 
land, it rose at noon to 74. 
We proceeded at one p. m. S. S.E. along the 
plain, where a few flocks of knoos and springboks 
were feeding. We also passed several pools, but 
did not meet with any stream till half past five 
p. M., when we came to the Sea-cow River, which 
was at that time very inconsiderable. It formed, 
in its course, many large and deep pools fitted to 
gratify the disposition and taste of the hippopo- 
tamus, or sea-cow, which loves to stand during 
the day in water, deep enough to cover himself 
completely. Sea-cows have been attracted to 
this river, which runs into the Cradock. We 
halted at its side, in a spot where there was b 
fine echo, which gave no small trouble to our dogs, 
as the reverberating sounds kept them barking 
till their strength was exhausted, supposing the 
echo to be the barking of other dogs in return. 
That part of Africa producing no trees, and 
hardly a bush, and consisting of such high land 
as to render the nights piercingly cold, even 
