BARROW. 
385 
dering a portion of the herds belonging to them. 
Accordingly, all the hostile preparations were or- 
dered to be discontinued, and the party deter- 
mined to proceed into the Kaffre country, to ac- 
commodate matters, if possible, in an amicable 
manner. 
Before proceeding on this embassy, they made a 
short excursion to Zwartkops or Algoa Bay. The 
most remarkable object on their route was a salt 
lake, the largest in Southern Africa, where such 
lakes are very common, and are called salt-pans. 
The water was salt as brine, and the bottom co- 
vered with a sheet of that mineral resembling ice 
in appearance, and hard as rock. The dry winds 
produce a fine powdery salt, like flakes of snow, 
which is much valued. Lions are very numerous. 
Mr Barrow controverts strongly the common idea 
of the courage and heroism of this boasted lord 
of the forests. He describes him as cowardly 
and treacherous, never attacking unless in am- 
buscade. Zwartkops Bay affords good anchor- 
age, but no shelter. Fish, particularly black 
whales, are very abundant. The country is fer- 
tile, and contains fine forests ; but the want of a 
market renders the farmers miserably poor. 
On returning to Graaf Reynet, Mr Barrow had 
an opportunity of observing the small remnant of 
the native Hottentots. Twenty years ago, their 
Iraals were said to have been numerous j now 
