1811. 
A EAMBLE OVER THE ISTHMUS. 
51 
This melancholy result of an expedition, the success of which 
had been regarded as certain, cast a damp on every similar under- 
taking ; and such of my friends as knew my intentions, derived from 
it an argument to dissuade m-e from my plan ; and they also repre- 
sented my bodily strength and constitution as unequal to the task. 
But a project which had been formed so many years, was not easily 
to be put aside: these well-meant representations made no impres- 
sion, and I continued unmoved in my resolution. 
3lst. This day was dedicated to a ramble over the Sand Flats, 
from Salt River to Munnich's Bridge. Salt River, or Zout Rivier, lies 
eastward from the town ; and by this name is commonly understood 
a small collection of houses, not far from the sea-shore, and situated 
on the lower part of the Liesbeck's river, by which place, passes the 
great road into the interior of the colony, branching afterwards 
northward and eastward. The water here being salt, has given rise 
to the name,, although a river running by Paardeii (or Horse) Island, 
is properly the Zout Rivier. In this part of the Flats grow various 
saline plants. * 
In the ponds hereabouts, and in many other parts of the colony, 
there grows a plant called Water-uyentjes the root of which, when 
roasted, is much eaten by the slaves and Hottentots. The heads ol' 
* Such as, — 
CJienolea diffusa. Th. 
Frankenia Nothria 
Falclcia repens 
Statice scabra 
Scirpus maritiimis 
Together with which, near Salt Rivei", may 
Cyperus textilis 
Campanula procumhens 
Cotula coronopifolia 
Cotiila integrifoUa. B. Cat. Geog. 5 1 5. 
— affinis C. coronopifolice sed difFert 
foliis lanceolatis integris. 
Cliffortia sarmentosa 
Polygala {Muraltia) linophylla. B. 
Cat. Geog. 510. 
f Aponogeton distachyum. 
Potamogeton marinum 
Scirpus HoloschoeJius 
Triglochiii maritimuni^ and 
Salicornia. 
be found, — 
Trijhlium rej^ens 
Cyperus corymhosus 
Cyperus lanceus 
Juncus punctorius 
Cyperus fascicularis. 
Cliffortia strohilina 
Typha latifolia 
Scirpus lacustris. Th. 
Anthericuni {Phalangium) fimhrlatam 
H 2 
