1311. THE PLATTE-KOP. — BLACK ANTS. 425 
more than half an hour, one of the fishes came within their reach, and 
with unerring aim, was instantly pierced through with their hassagay. 
This is the fish which has been already mentioned by the name of 
Platte-kop (Flat-head) a species of Silurm/'' It was nearly three feet 
long, entirely of a lead-color ; but whitish underneath. The head was 
very broad and flat ; the eyes pale-yellow and extremely small ; and 
the mouth was bearded with several very long strings. The skin was 
smooth, and, like that of an eel, without scales. The flesh was white, 
and in taste very much resembled the conger-eel, being rich and nu- 
tritious. It is a remarkable circumstance, and one which is confirmed 
by the general observation of the colonists, that it is only those rivers 
which run to the western coast, (that is to say, to the northward ofthe 
Cape of Good Hope,) in which this fish is found ; whilst, on the con- 
trary, eels have never been seen in any but those which fall into the 
ocean eastward of that cape. Of this Silurus I completed two coloured 
drawings on the spot ; of one of which, an engraving is given at the 
end of the chapter. 
I also finished a drawing of a whole tree of the Red-leaf ; its 
growth and appearance being remarkable, and exhibiting a character 
very different from that of the other trees of the country. In select- 
ing a position for making this drawing, I was unable to find a single 
yard of ground that did not swarm with large black ants. It was, 
tJierefore, impossible to sit down, and nearly so, to stand ; for these 
troublesome insects, ever on the search for something to eat, soon 
found their way over my shoe, and seemed uncommonly delighted 
at feasting on a white-man's leg, a treat most likely, till now, quite 
unknown to the little tribe, and, in spite of all my endeavours, they 
were determined not to let go their prize. Their bite, though not 
leaving behind it any inflammation, was yet exceedingly sharp at the 
moment, and kept me in continual motion to brush them off. Near 
* Silurus {HeterobrancJms) Gariepinus B. — Vide iconem capitulo XVII. adjectam. 
Longitude, poilices (Angl.) 33^. Inter oculos et pinnas pectorales, maxima est latitude ; 
poll. 5^. Cirri 8, quorum longissimus, (poll. 7.) in angulo oris situs. Os edentule. 
Caput, antice transverum, planum, plagioplateum. Corporis pars posterior valde 
cathetoplatea. Appendix branchiarum ruberrima arboriformis. Pinnas omnes inermes : 
D.69 : A. 53 : C. 18 : P. 10 : V. 6 : et Br. 5.— Reliqua sunt in icone videnda. 
3 I 
