SOUTHERN AFRICA. 2S3 
feems, as yet, a doubtful matter. Hitherto they have not had 
any triah With refpedt to fize and form they are liable to no 
objedions, and there can be little doubt that, by felling them 
at a proper time, and feaioning them in fuch a manner as the 
climate may require, they would be found to anfwer all the 
purpofes that might be wanted, not only for the hull of a fhip 
but alfo for mafts and yards. So little did they know, in the 
Cape, of the refources of the colony, with refpetft to the tim- 
ber, that of the forty-four diftlndl fpecies of forefl; trees, of 
the wood of which I procured fpecimens, that were delivered 
to Government by Lord Macartney, not more than fix or 
eight were in partial ufe ; of the reft the names even were un- 
known. 
The only bay within the limits of the colony, to the north- 
ward, is that of Saint Helena, which, by land from Hoetjes 
Bay is little more than fifteen miles. In fliape and fituation it 
refembles Table Bay, but wants the attractions of the latter both 
in refpedt of the quality of the contiguous land and the quantity 
of water. Whalers fometimes anchor in this bay, where, from the 
remote and undifturbed fituation, fo many whales conftantly refort 
in the winter months, that they feldom find any difficulty of 
making up the deficiency of their cargo. It might be prudent, 
however, in the power who pofTelfes the Cape, to have a guard 
frigate ftationed in this bay, and another in Algoa Bay. 
The other parts of the coaft are of lefs confequence. They 
are frequented only by the whale fifhers of America, and ad- 
venturers from London. 
With 
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