SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
87 
perpendicular and ftralght, gave to the eye a long natural per- 
fpedive like that of a ftreet, a name which in fad the place 
bore. The farther extremity of the pafs opened upon a level 
plain, inclofed by fmall hills all detached from each other, and 
having every appearance of a volcanic origin, except that the 
fand-ftone ftrata, which fhewed themfelves on every fide, were 
regular and undifturbed. The inclination of thefe in a conli- 
derable angle to the horizon, and the form of the hills, made it 
appear, from certain points of view, as if a fpiral line of ftone 
twifted itfelf round their fides like the ridge that encircles fome 
of the volute fhells. Farenheit's thermometer ftood at 33° at 
fun-rife; at noon, expofed to the fun, at 80°, in the fhade 55°; 
and at feven in the evening it was down at the freezing point. 
The next day's journey was about five-and- twenty miles, to 
a place called Conjiaaple^ after a Baftaard Hottentot who had 
been tempted by a fmall fpring of water to ered a hut and 
plant a few trees. The drought, however, had foon obliged 
him to quit this retreat. Two fpreading oaks ftill remained 
and fhaded a fpring of excellent water, which, however, foon 
loft itfelf in the fandy furface of the ground. The thermome- 
ter at noon rofe to 80° in the fun, and at night was down to 
the freezing point. 
On the fourteenth we travelled only twelve miles. The 
road, in fome places, was rocky and uneven, and in others 
deep fand. Our oxen too were beginning to droop for want 
of pafturage. The ftage called Mentjies hoek afforded a few 
rufties and abundance of fucculent plants, among which the 
bullocks 
