1811. 
IN THE KARREEBERGEN. 
299 
high, of that singular shrub Rhigozum trichotomum^, whose stiff 
branches, constantly dividing and subdividing, in a most regular 
manner, into threes, present a very rare and curious ramification, 
and have obtained for it the name of Driedoorn (Three-thorn). A 
representation of this may be seen in the foreground of the land- 
scape at the head of the eighteenth chapter. 
At half-past nine at night, we unyoked at Elands Valley (Eland's, 
or Elk's, Pond), a mere puddle of muddy water in the open plain, 
produced by the rains, and prevented from soaking into the earth 
by the clayey nature of the soil. The shrubs about this place were 
so diminutive, that it was with difficulty the necessary quantity of 
fuel could be procured. 
Here Old Moses, one of the Hottentots, got himself into dis- 
grace, by unfairly taking advantage of the night to hasten forwards 
miperceived, and get to the pond long before us, that his oxen, at 
least, might drink their fill ; as it was known that there would be 
very little water at this place. It was contrary to our rules, to 
allow any of the cattle to go to the spring before all the casks were 
filled; and the consequence of Old Moses's selfish conduct was, 
that his oxen, trampling in the pool, had rendered the water so 
muddy, that nothing but necessity, and the greatest thirst, could 
have forced our people to drink it. 
iXth. Our course on the following day, lay over an immense 
plain, bounded on the right and on the left, by the level-topped 
mountains of the Kari^eebergen. The view which we had on our 
left, forms the subject of the Vignette at the head of the chapter. 
Those on the right were not very distant : amongst them one, re- 
markable for being in the form of a depressed cone surmounted 
* Catalogi Geographici, 1572. The name of Wiigozum is compounded of piyo'co and 
0^05 ; from the rigid hranclies which the species are found to have. It is a true Bigno- 
niaceous genus, and distinguished in its Order by five fertile stamens, sometimes varying to 
seven. In all the species, simple, trifoliate, and fasciculate leaves are found on the same 
plant. The flovk'ers are yellow and handsome. 
Q Q 2 
