SOUTHERN AFRICA. 71 
much higher, however, than that through which the pafs lies, 
yet acceffible by waggons. The fummits of the mountains 
were buried in fnow, and the thermometer at funrife flood, on 
the plain, at the freezing point. 
The valley of Roode Sand, or Waveren, is a fertile tradt of 
land, well watered by ftreamlets falling from the inclofmg 
mountains, and produces abundance of corn, fome wine, rai- 
fms, and other fruits. Several parts are capable of being 
flooded, and on that account admirably adapted for the cultiva- 
tion of rice. The Chinefe bamboo, a plant not more elegant 
than it is ufeful, grows here with great luxuriance, and is em- 
ployed for whipftocks, and to make frames for the covers of the 
waggons. The Cape olive grows wild in great abundance, and 
aifo the pal ma Chrifti, Game of various kinds is alfo plentiful, 
fuch as buftards, partridges, fnipes, ducks, and mountain geefe. 
1^ Of antelopes they have the duiker, klip-fpringer, fteenbok, 
griefbok, and reebok. The laft is an animal that does not yet 
appear to have been defcribed in any fyftematic work. Its fize 
is that of the domeftic goat, but it is much more elegantly 
made. The color is a bluifh grey, the belly and breaft white ; 
horns feven or eight inches long, annulated about a third part 
of the length from the bafe. Befides thefe they have the Cape 
hare, and an animal that burrows in the ground called the y%er 
varke^ or iron hog, the flefh of which, when faked and dried, 
is efteemed by the Dutch as a great delicacy. It is the hyjlrix 
crijiata^ or crefted porcupine of Pennant. Several of the 
farmers breed them ; but it is a vicious animal, and not fafe to 
be approached by ftrangers. The aard varke or earth-hog, 
the 
