SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
133 
own expence, and at the lofs of almoft half the weight of the 
animals, it may eafily be conceived at how very cheap a rate 
velTels bound on long voyages might be viftualled at Zwart- 
kop's bay : or, if the meat here prepared fhould be tranfported 
to the Cape in coafting veffels, it might be afforded there con- 
fiderably under fixpence a-pound. The furrounding country 
is very fertile ; and corn in almoft any quantity might be pur- 
chafed at the bay for lefs than three {hillings a bufliel. Hides 
and {kins might alfo be falted and become an article of export. 
Thofe of the wild antelopes, even with the rough dreffing of the 
uninformed peafantry, make very fine leather. For ftrength. 
and durability the Ikins of wild animals are much preferable to 
thofe that have been domefticated. 
At the diftance of fifteen miles to the weftward of the bay, 
and clofe to the fea-£hore, many thoufand acres of ground are 
covered completely with foreft-trees of various kinds and dimen- 
fions : the moft common was the geel hoiit or yellow wood, 
[taxus elongatus) erroneoufly called by Thunberg the ilex crocea, 
Thefe trees grow to the amazing fize of ten feet in diameter, 
and to the height of thirty or forty feet of trunk, clear of 
branches. The wood is very ferviceable for many purpofes, 
but will not bear expofure to weather. Next to the yellow 
wood is the y%er bout, iron-wood, (a Jideroxylon^ growing to 
the fize of three feet in diameter, and very high. The wood of 
this tree is clofe-grained, ponderous, and very hard. Hajfagai 
bout (the curtejia faginea of the Hortus Kewenfis^ is a beautiful 
tree growing to the fize of the iron-wood, and is ufed for naves, 
fellies, and fpokes of waggon-wheels, and moft implements of 
hufbandry- 
