280 
ARRIVAL AT SACK RIVER.— YELLOW-FISH. 
30 Aug.— 1 Sept. 
their shoulders, and their head just peeping out between the legs 
which projected before them. 
All the Hottentots confirmed the fact of those nine eggs which 
were found on the outside of the nest, being intended as food for 
the young ostriches ; and assured me that the eggs in this nest were 
the produce of two hens. 
In the evening we reached the Zak-rivier (Sack-river), the 
northern boundary of the colony, where we remained stationary the 
four following days. 
Sist. This is the principal river between the Hex river and the 
Gariep. The stream was at this time very inconsiderable, though 
still running. Its banks were clothed with the mat-rush, and here 
and there with some fresh grass produced by rains, which appeared 
to have fallen lately. Not a tree was seen, to break the uniformity 
of the plain through which it meandered, or to mark its course : nor 
could it even be discovered, till we reached its banks. 
In the deepest of its pools I found a beautiful kind of carp, en- 
tirely of a yellow-green with a brazen lustre. * The largest we saw 
was at least two feet long : that from which I made my drawing 
measured nineteen inches and a half. With a hook and. line we 
caught many without much difficulty ; their flesh was white, and of 
a very delicate taste. It was known by the name of Geel-visch, 
(Yellow-fish.) A representation of it is given at the end of the chapter. 
Although we offered to lend hooks and lines to any of the 
Hottentots, scarcely one would take the trouble to use them. They 
appeared to have little relish for such food, and less for that mode 
of employment ; eagerly preferring the more toilsome one of hunt- 
ing. In this all who had guns, spent their time during our stay. 
Several quakkas were shot, and the meat shared amongst them ; it 
resembled horseflesh, as might be expected from the nature of the 
* Cyprinus aeneus. B. Totus aenei coloris. Caput parvum, cirris duobus vix ore 
longioribus. Pinna dorsalis mutica radiis 10: pectoralis 13 vel 14 : ventralis 9 : analis 
6; et caudalis 19: omnes concolores. Irides aenese. (Vide iconem Capitulo xii sub- 
junctam.) 
