298 
TRAVELS IN 
of water, is as fertile as that of Egypt poffibly can be. The 
rains in the Abyffinian mountains generally begin in May, and 
caufe the inundations of the Nile to take place in June, conti- 
nuing to the month of September. The rains in the Great 
mountains beyond the KafFers and the Tambookies, along the 
feet of which the Orange river runs, colleding their tributary 
ftreams in its pafiage, commence in November, and caufe the 
inundations to take place, towards the Namaqua country, in 
December, correfponding thus exactly with the former, both 
countries being nearly at the fame diftance from the equator, 
but on contrary fides. The fame fmgular peculiarity has been 
obferved in the conformation of the Egyptian women that per- 
vades the whole of the Hottentot nation. That extraordinary 
animal the caraelopardalis is faid to be an inhabitant of Ethio- 
pia, nearer to the Line than Egypt ; and it is firft met with in 
Southern Africa, beyond the Orange river, which is alfo nearer 
to the Line than any part of the colony of the Cape. Many 
other analogies might be drawn ; but thefe are more than fuffi- 
cient to eftablifh the opinion of a ftriking refemblance exifting 
between the two countries. 
The Orange river, at this time, though far from being full, 
exhibited a very grand object ; but in its low ftate, when the 
water is clear, it muft be exceedingly beautiful. In the level 
parts of the country through which its fmooth and eafy current 
ran over pebbly beds, thefe were compofed entirely of ftones 
that were not common, nor were many of them wanting 
either in being curious or beautiful. Among thefe were opals, 
carnelians, chalcedonies, and agates of every form and color, 
figured. 
