1811. 
ARRIVAL AT GATTIKAMMA. 
343 
the insects, running about in confusion, are easily drawn into the 
animal's mouth, by the long slender tongue with which nature has 
provided it for this purpose. Without tusks, or any efficient teeth, 
this animal is quite defenceless, and depends, for its safety, solely 
on concealment ; in which it so completely succeeds, that no animal 
is less seldom seen ; and, from its power of burrowing, with incre- 
dible rapidity, away from those who endeavour to dig it out of its 
retreat, few are more difficult to be obtained. Its flesh is whole- 
some and well-tasted. Besides the holes of the Aardvark, those of 
the Springhaas (Springhare),* and Meerkatje ( Weasel), t were very 
frequent ; but we could not, at this time, get a sight of either of 
these animals \. 
The moon shone bright, and travelling was exceedingly plea- 
sant ; but, from the time the sun went down, the air became chilly ; 
and, increasing in coldness as the night advanced, obliged us to wear 
our watch-coats. 
At eleven oclock, we unyoked at Wittewater (Whitewater), called 
in the Hottentot language Gattikamma ; a word which has the same 
meaning. This spring, which, in some seasons, is the source of a 
rivulet, is situated in an open country, without a single bush near 
it, excepting a few Karree-trees, and some Olive-trees, \\ about twelve 
feet high, standing close to the water. Our coming disturbed some 
birds, which immediately began flying round about, and making 
a great noise ; plainly telling me, by their note, to what tribe 
* Dipus cafer. Gm. Sys. Nat. — Pcdetes. Illiger. Prod. Sys. Mamm. 
f Either a species of Viverra or Sciurus as there are animals of botli genera, which 
are called by the name of Meerkat, or Meerkatje meaning small monkey. 
X In this day's journey were noticed, 
Mesemhryanthemum arboriforme. C. G. ^OO*. Fruticulus 1-2-pedalis ramosus, 
trunco plerumque simplici. Cyniae octies dichotomiE. Flores minuti, coloris 
testacei. Species non longe a M parvifloro Haworthii, ordinanda. 
Capparis albitrunca. C. G. 1762. Arbor inermis parva robusta, trunco albo. 
Folia coriacea elongate vel lineari-elliptica, apice rotundata vel aliquando emar- 
ginata, subtus glaucescentia. Flores minimi. Racemi paucifloi-i axillares, et 
etiam ex ramis nudis prodeuntes. Hollandice Witgat-boom dicta. 
II Olea similis. B. 
