28 
RACES. 
27 Dec. 
to the antiquated Dutch calash, and the hght, but jolting paarde- 
wagen *, are seen driving about to enjoy the sport. Horsemen, 
without number, fly backwards and forwards to watch the fate of the 
day ; and exhibit their prancing steeds of half Arab or English 
blood ; although some, indeed, of their noble animals refuse to 
prance without the incitement of the curb or spur. Nor is it 
less amusing to watch the motley group on foot : Malays and 
Negroes mingled with whites, all crowding and elbowing, eager 
to get a sight of the momentous contest. But the patient Hottentot 
views it almost with apath}^ ; and, squatted on the ground, seems to 
prefer a pipe of tobacco to that which affords such exquisite gratifi- 
cation to his superiors. Together with the art of making horses run 
fast, the science and mystery of betting has found its way to the 
farthest extremity of Africa; and on Green Point large sums are 
said to have been won and lost. 
Continuing our walk to a cottage romantically situated under 
the Lion's Head, and belonging to Dr. Liesching, we rested a few 
minutes. About this spot grow Mahetmia hicisa, Phylica buxifolia, 
Solanum tomenfosiim, Erioccphalus racemosus, Euplwrhia genistdides. 
At a subsequent visit to this place, I followed a narrow path 
down to the sea shore, where, it being low water, I saw what might 
be called little groves of a very large kind of sea-weed, Fucus huc- 
cinalis, growing in the sea, under water. Its trunks, or stalks, were 
six feet high, hollow within, thin at bottom, but gradually swelling 
upwards ; having at their top very broad and long leaves floating in 
the water. The Dutch call this plant Zee hamhos (sea-bamboo), and 
boys, after cutting its stalk to a convenient length when dry, some- 
times amuse themselves in blowing it as a horn or trumpet ; but 
the sound, thus produced, is very hollow and dull. 
* Horse-uoaggov . This is so called in contradistinction to the more common waggon 
drawn by oxen^ which travels usually about three English miles in an hour; but the 
Paardc'-doagen goes at a trot, estimated at six miles in an hour ; although its rate may 
vary from five to seven miles, according to the goodness of the road. The Osse- 
wagen, or Ox-waggon, will, from the same cause, travel from two to four miles. 
