1811. MAT-RUSHES. — REED-RIVER PASS. 263 
These ponds, called Zeekoe-gatten^ (Sea-cow holes,) are gene- 
rally supposed to have been made by Hippopotami.^ when that huge 
animal still held an undisturbed domain in these waters. It 
appears more probable, that they merely took advantage of these 
hollows, finding in them a depth of water sufficient to cover their 
bodies ; and where the bottom was not rocky, they might have 
enlarged them by their continual trampling. 
From a kind of 7msh * which here is remarkably abundant, the 
river may possibly have derived its name, as very little of the true 
reed is any where to be seen, unless it may be found in some other 
part of the river. In the thickest masses of this rush, generally lie 
concealed a large sort of coot f, entirely black, and distinguished by 
two red warts on the forehead. I obtained two for my collection : 
their flesh, when stewed, was good eating. Of this rush, which is 
called the Hard Mafjes-goederen, the Hottentots, in these districts, 
make all their mats, which are much more durable than those 
made of Cyperus textilis, distinguished by the name of Sagt (soft), 
MatJeS'goederen, the material of all the mats made near Cape Town. 
The first forms a thatch that will last for many years ; all the huts of 
the Roggeveld colonists are covered with it. 
l}th. Tempted again by the clearness and serenity of the 
weather, I equipped myself for a ramble alone, that I might the 
more freely enjoy my observations ; I pursued the course of the river 
downwards till it conducted me into a narrow windino; defile 
between moderately high rocky mountains, rising abruptly on either 
hand. Projecting from their sides stood enormous masses of rock 
of singular appearance, formed of large cubic blocks of sandstone, 
piled regularly on each other, and richly varied with all the tints of 
bistre, terra-di-sienna, and the different ochres. The intervening 
acclivity was composed of loose fragments which had fallen from the 
upper part of the rocks. A broad horizontal band, or stratum, of 
* Scipus tegetalis. B. 
f Fnlica cristata. 
