SOUTHERN AFRICA. 387 
we thought it prudent to give up the attempt of proceeding 
higher, and to make the beft of our way down. It frequently 
happens that the fnow begins to fall on this mountain early in 
May. The inhabitants are then obliged to quit their elevated 
fituation, and to eftablifh themfelves for the winter on the plains 
below. Neither the diftance of the Khamies berg from the fea, 
which is only about fifteen miles, nor its height, are fufficient to 
account for the early approach of winter, and the deep fnows 
that fall there. Perhaps as this point is the termination of the 
periodical winds, and the commencement of thofe almoft inva- 
riable breezes that blow between the tropics, and extend five or fix 
degrees beyond them, called the trade winds, the frequent fqualls 
and commotion in the air occafioned at the point of meeting, may 
have a tendency to lower the temperature. To the northward of 
the Khamies berg, on the fandy plains of the Namaaqua country, 
it is faid that rain never falls. Whatfoever clouds may be borne 
from the fea, or formed in the atmofphere, are immediately 
attracted to this clufter of mountains. 
In that part of the Namaaqua country, lying between the 
Khamies and the Groote^ or Orange river ^ no water is met with', 
except in the periodical ftreams that flow from the mountain 
under beds of fand, in which the natives, when fuch exifted, ufed 
to dig deep wells, and cover them over to prevent evaporation. 
Thefe plains are now defolate and uninhabited. All thofe 
numerous tribes of Namaaquas, polTeffed of vaft herds of cattle, 
are, in the courfe of lefs than a century, dwindled away to four 
hordes, which are not very numerous, and in a great meafure 
are fubfervient to the Dutch peafantry, who dwell among them, 
3 D 2 ' , The 
