348 TRAVELS IN 
On the fifth we crofled Gauritz river, the weflern limit of 
the divlfion of Mufcle bay. This river may properly be called 
the Sink of the Colony. All the waters that have their origin 
within the diftance of one hundred and fifty miles to the eaft- 
ward, and as far to the weftward, upon the Great Karroo, and 
mountains to the northward of it, meet in one immenfe chafm of 
the chain of mountains neareft the fea-fliore, and are difcharged 
through the channel of the Gauritz river. The fudden and 
copious inundations of this river are almoft beyond credibility. 
The ruins of a houfe are ftill to be feen, that is faid to have been 
deftroyed by a fwelling of the river, though the fite cannot be 
much lefs than a hundred feet above the level of the channel ; at 
this time all its numerous branches fcarcely fupplied it with 
water fufficient to caufe a current. 
From Gauritz we proceeded to one of its branches, the Falfe 
river, near which were feen a great variety of brown and yellow 
ochres, and abundance of that curious ftone, already mentioned, 
under the name of Paint ftone. 
On the fixth we pafled feveral rivulets, v»rhofe united ftreams 
form the Kaffer Kuyl's river. In advancing towards the Cape, 
the country became better inhabited ; neat houfes flood on the 
banks of all the rivers, and the gardens, and vineyards, and 
fruiteries, were more extenfive, and kept in a better ftate of cul- 
ture. The furface of the country interjacent between the rivers 
was very irregular, the foil dry clay and chalk, and was fit for 
little elfe than a fheep pafture. It produced a great quantity of 
flirubs, among which was one called th.Q Guarrie hofch^ (Royena?) 
from 
