SOUTHERN AFRICA. 403 
places the Roggeveld prefents to the next lower terrace, which 
is the Bokkeveld and Karroo plains, perpendicular faces of ftone 
from two to four thoufand feet in height. Yet from this great 
elevation, on the eaftern fide, the defcent is fcarcely perceptible. 
The Fifh river, whofe courfe is eafterly, and which rifes on the 
very fummit of the mountain, fcarcely has any current, but is a 
feries of deep holes connedted by periodical ftreamlets. The 
great inequality of the fummit of the Roggeveld, gives it the 
appearance of a chain of mountains riling out of the general 
furface of a mountain. Of thefe the Kom^ or Cup mountain, is 
the higheft. According to the information of a neighbouring 
peafant, who alTifted Colonel Gordon in determining its altitude, 
it is fifteen hundred feet higher than the Table mountain, or 
five thoufand feet above the Karroo plains. For feveral months 
in the year the Roggeveld is entirely under fnow ; the inhabit- 
ants are then obliged to defcend upon the Karroo with all their 
cattle, where, in temporary dwellings of rufhes or ftraw, they 
remain till the fpring. This diviiion of Stellenbofch is coniidered 
to produce the beft breed of horfes in the whole colony. 
The country to the eaftv/ard of the Roggeveld, is inhabited 
by different hordes of Bosjefmans. One of thefe, called the 
Kora?tas^ dwelling on the right bank of the Orange river, 
diredly eaft from the Roggeveld, is reprefented as a very for- 
midable tribe of people. The few that I had an opportunity of 
feeing, were ftrong lufty men, apparently of the fame tribe as 
the Namaaquas. They are confidered as being more cruel, and 
at the fame time more daring than any other tribe of this 
nation. They poffefs a few fheep and cattle, but have the fame 
3 F 2 wandering 
