208 
A REMARKABLE CHANGE IN VEGETATION 13, 14 July, 
Before sunset, the two missionaries, wiCli their families, joined 
us ; but the great body of our caravan was not yet assembled : a con- 
siderable number of the Klaarwater Hottentots, with their waggons, 
were waiting for us on the borders of the colony ; and, besides 
these, we expected the accession of others in the course of our 
journey through the Roggeveld. 
\^th. This morning was misty; a state of weather not very 
frequently occurring. The whole of the forenoon was exceedingly 
cold and chilly ; and my fingers were so much benumbed, that I 
found some difficulty in writing. 
In order to give our oxen more time for grazing, we remained 
here till sunset. In the mean time I took a stroll into the Pass, 
and climbed up the rocks on our right, to examine the productions 
of the mountains ; of which, notwithstanding the earth was ex- 
cessively dry and parched, there was a great variety. Out of these 
I selected as many as thirty plants not collected before. * Among 
these rocks, the Pelargonium renifolium was found, growing to the 
height of two feet ; and a frutescent Othonna, four feet high f, en- 
livened the rugged declivity with its large yellow flowers. 
The list of genera here given may serve to show the botanical 
character of this spot, as contrasted with the country in the following 
part of the journey northward. Beyond this, a very remarkable 
change takes place in its vegetable productions. Four of the 
strongest and most characteristic features of Cape botany, the Ericcs, 
the DiosnKE, and the Proteaceous and Restiaceous tribes, entirely dis- 
appear ; nor did I meet with any of them again till two years after- 
* Sisyinhrium 
Adiantum, and 2 other ferns 
Asparagus., 2 species 
Eriocephalus, 2 species 
Lobelia 
Aster, 2 species 
Osteospermum 
Pelargonium 
f Cat. Geog. 1198. 
Phylica 
Mahernia, 2 species 
Gnaphalium 
Diosma 
Indigofera 
Hebenstreitia 
Psoralea 
Atriplex 
Erica 
Malva 
Cliffo7-tia 
Othonna, 4 species 
Oxalis 
Restiacc(e, &c. 
