246 
THE FIRST THUNDER.SHOWER IN THE KARRO. 
1, 3 Aug. 
are not now to be depended upon by the hunter, in search of these 
quadrupeds. A sparrow called the Koorn-vreeter, (Corn-eater) * and 
an undescribed species of Jly-catcher, were here added to my col- 
lection. 
From this spot the lofty and far-extended Roggevelds-berg is 
visible, though distant above twenty miles. The peculiarity of the 
view, terminated by the blue misty outline of this gigantic precipice, 
induced me to add this to the number of my drawings. My men, 
who had scarcely any other work to do at this place, except attend- 
ing the oxen and sheep, employed some of their time in making a 
store ofjuk-scheis, as these are continually liable to be broken, when- 
ever the oxen become restive in the yoke. They took advantage 
also of this leisure, to make a quantity of candles, lest the various 
other employments in travelling might not again allow them so 
favorable an opportunity. 
One of the oxen having an abscess on the back, Philip, who 
professed a knowledge of the different disorders of oxen and the 
modes of curing them, having opened it, filled the cavity with tar ; 
of which, as a healing application, Hottentots have a high opinion, 
and make much use, especially for wounds and sores of their cattle. 
The day was cold, and towards the afternoon, lightning, thunder, 
and rain, of which some symptoms had occurred on the preceding 
day, came on again ; and in consequence, it became the opinion of 
all, that the season of the thunder-rains had now actually com- 
menced in the Karro. The tilt of the waggon, which, till this storm, 
had not yet been sufficiently tried, proved, to my great satisfaction, 
perfectly water-proof; but though I enjoyed the privilege of sleeping 
dry, the noise of the shower incessantly pelting on the canvass, close 
above my head, prevented my getting much rest : but custom at last 
rendered this inconvenience more indifferent. 
Early in the morning, Maagers and Speelman set out with 
the oxen and sheep, in order that they might have time to pro- 
* Fringilla arcuata. Syst. Nat. ed. Gm. 
