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1811. TABLE MOUNTAIN. 43 
stone ; afire was soon kindled, which blazed with the fuel of Cliffbi^tia 
ruscifolia, Mimetes Hartogii, and Aulax piiiifolia ; excellent water was 
found in the cavities of the rocks, and our coffee was in a short time 
prepared. Notwithstanding our fatigue, the spirits of our party 
seemed heightened by the excursion ; and, as I have always since 
experienced the same agreeable effects on climbing the mountains of 
Africa, I doubt not that a great share of it was to be attributed to 
the lightness and purity of the air we breathed ; although certainly 
the pleasant humour of our companions contributed essentially to 
the enjoyment which such scenes naturally afford. 
Although, in a general sense, the top of this mountain may be 
called flat and level, yet it is much less so than might be supposed, 
while viewing it only from below. Its surface is, in fact, both 
hilly and rocky, and consists of a hard sand-stone, which, in the bare 
and more exposed parts, is very compact and flinty. The weather 
having worn away the softer parts, leaves the others frequently 
standing out several inches, and, in some measure, resembling pieces 
of elks' horns, (Cervus Alces). The whole sumiTiit is covered with 
plants and bushes ; we observed standing water, and some hollows 
which had contained extensive ponds, although, at this season, quite 
dry. 
The height of Table Mountain, above the surface of the ocean, 
has been ascertained to be 3582 English feet, which is only 126 
yards less than three quarters of a mile in perpendicular height ; yet 
La Caille did not calculate it to be more than 3464. The Devil's 
Mountain has been found to be 3315 ; the Lion's Head, 2160; and 
the Lion's Rump, 1143, according to Arrowsmith's map. From the 
precipice which overlooks the town, a spectator cannot look down the 
awful depth directly beneath without feeling some dread, or giddiness : 
and some of our party could not, on that account, venture within 
several yards of the brink. The view, as might be expected, is most 
extensive ; for, calculation proves that the eye ranges over the ocean 
to the distance of 73 miles ; and that a mountain of equal height, would 
be within the scope of vision, though distant 146 miles. 
The appearance of this view may more easily be imagined than 
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