428 
THE UPPER PART OF THE KYGARIEP 
4 Nov. 
the huge carcase over to our side of the river. But here another 
difficulty met us : the bank was every where so thickly covered with 
trees down to the very water's edge, and their branches hung over 
so far into the stream, that it was not practicable to get it on shore, 
without felling the trees, and carrying their branches away piece- 
meal ; a work which we had not time for ; neither did the Hotten- 
tots feel inclined, or able, in such warm weather, to undertake so 
laborious a task. 
Th.e Hippopotamus having been all day exposed to the heat of the 
sun, some degree of putrefaction had taken place ; and the included 
air had so much swollen the body that it floated with a great part 
above the surface. With the thongs used in yoking our oxen, it was 
fastened by its leg to one of the branches ; and in this position they 
began without loss of time to cut it up. It was found that a great 
portion of the meat was spoiled ; and the damage was much increased 
by lying so long in the water. It was of the full size, and in its 
stomach were found above six bushels of chewed grass. The 
largest intestine, when inflated, measured nearly eight inches in 
diameter. The food of the Hippopotamus passes in a very indigested 
state ; and even then, has more the appearance of mingled grass 
and straw. 
At this place the river was flowing as through a forest; nothing 
but trees being to be seen on either side ; chiefly the willow, 
blackbark, and acacia, with abundance of reeds growing in the 
water. The still clear smoothness of the stream, indicated consider- 
able depth, but its magnitude in this place, at less than thirty miles 
above its confluence with the Gariep, had decreased so much as to 
convince me that in size and length of course, the Ky-Gariep was 
far inferior to the Nu-Gariep. 
Our secluded situation had completely concealed us from the 
natives who inhabited this part of the country, not one of whom 
came near us ; which they certainly would have done, had they 
known that we were there. In the midst of the woods, wander- 
ing alone, admiring the scenery, and watching the manners of 
several beautiful birds, and attending to their various notes, I 
