104 
TRAVELS IN 
thirtieth part of its weight of fait. Another river, with little 
current, called the Karooka^ joined the fait river at the head of 
the valley, the water of which was perfedly frefh, but com- 
bined with earthy matter. The furface of the valley was 
entirely covered with two or three fpecies of coarfe rufhy 
graffes ; and all the fwamps and fprings were buried in large 
clumps of the arundo phragmites or common reed. The 
ftreams that fell into the valley were finely fkirted with tall 
mimofas, which, at their confluence, fpread out into a foreft 
of evergreens. 
Such a delightful fpot in the midft of a barren defert, afford- 
ing fhelter, and food, and water, could not fail of attracting to 
it the native inhabitants of the furrounding country j and here 
accordingly we met with vaft variety of game, particularly of 
the antelope family, three different fpecies of which we had not 
before obferved. Thefe were the fpring-hok or leaping ante- 
lope, the pygarga of the Sterna Natura', \h.Q gems-bo k ox pafan 
of Biiffon^ the Egyptian antelope of Pennant, and the oryx of the 
Syjiema Natura^ and the koodoo the Jirepftceros of Pallas. 
The fpring-bok is a gregarious animal never met with but in 
large herds, fome of which, according to the accounts of the 
peafantry, will amount to the number of ten thoufand. The 
Dutch have given a name to this beautiful creature indicative 
of its gait. The ftrength and elaflicity of the mufcles are fo 
great that, when clofely purfued, he will fpring at a fingle leap 
from fifteen to five-and-twenty feet. Its ufual pace is that of 
a conftant jumping or fpringing, with all the four legs flretched 
out, 
