1811. LUNAR OBSERVATIONS. — EXCESSIVE HEAT. 439 
replace this, another was afterwards sent to Klaarwater from Cape 
Town ; as a regular series of meteorological observations, made for 
several years at a spot so far inland, would be exceedingly interest- 
ing. And it is hoped that missionaries in every country, when their 
profession calls them to distant regions, seldom frequented by scien- 
tific observers, will not think it unnecessary to transmit to Europe 
the many valuable facts which they must have daily opportunities 
of learning and verifying. So that, in the event of their failing to 
convert the Heathen, some useful information, at least, may result 
from their labors. 
Notwithstanding the great heat of the day, I could not allow so 
favorable an opportunity to pass by, as the clearness of the sky and 
stillness of the air offered, for observations for the longitude ; and 
I took a set of nine distances of the sun from the moon, for this 
purpose. I had already by the altitude of the star Algenib ascertained 
the latitude to be 29° 0' 21^-" South. * 
Qth. During the last seventeen days, not a drop of rain had fallen ; 
and, therefore, a thunder shower this evening, after a day hotter even 
than yesterday, was a delightful refreshing to the animal, as well as 
vegetable, creation. Our clothes in such weather felt oppressive ; 
and, to relieve themselves, many of the Hottentots had been passing 
the whole day in the water. But the river itself was quite warm ; 
and no longer afforded a cooling draught. In my waggon, by throw- 
ing open the canvass at both ends, I had always found a little more 
air than in other situations ; and this contrivance rendered the over- 
whelming heat rather more supportable. While every one around 
me, yielding to the enervating influence of the weather, and stretch- 
ed here and there beneath the trees, was indulging in the pleasure of 
doing nothing ; the care of preserving, and making notes of, my daily- 
increasing collections, and the never-ceasing business of recording 
my observations, kept me at all times more than fully employed. 
• 1st Nov. 1811, at the confluence of ihe Ky-garirp, and Maap, the observed meri- 
dional altitude of y Pegasi was 46^ 52' 19". 
