294 
GEOLOGICAL APPEARANCES 
of the granite, sandstone of different colours, first reddish, and after- 
wards beautifully white, and in exact horizontal strata, continued to 
the top of the mountain. The most striking fact regarding this sand- 
stone formation is, that it contains, even when most highly crystalline, 
rounded masses of quartz, from the size of a pea to that of a small 
pear. 
On reaching the top of the mountain, I was much gratified by 
the strangeness of the scene that expanded around me. On my 
left spread a plain covered with small fragments of rocks and a 
great variety of hardy flowering plants. On my right its surface 
was more unequal ; the sandstone having yielded in some parts more 
than in others to the action of the elements, had assumed the most 
grotesque forms, exhibiting the appearance of ruined buildings, 
amidst which were growing numbers of beautiful and interesting 
ferns. Having recovered from the fatigue of the ascent, I com- 
menced a search for the mass of iron, in which I was seconded by 
several friends, but our endeavours were fruitless ; and although 
repeated a few days afterwards, had no better success. 
I may here observe, -that there can be no doubt that a mass 
of iron has existed on Table Mountain; I have conversed with 
several persons at the Cape, who have either seen it themselves, 
or have heard others mention it who have. But it is there gene- 
rally believed to be the fluke of an anchor, as mentioned by Mr. 
Barrow*, and was described to me as such by the late Mr. Go- 
thorpe, master of the Alceste, who had examined it. An elderly 
gentleman, who resides at Simon’s Town, stated to Captain Max- 
well that he was one of a large party who many years ago carried 
it up, with what motive it is perhaps not easy to imagine. It does 
not, however, I apprehend, exist on the top of Table Mountain 
at this time. A mass of iron, answering its description in every 
respect, has lately been seen at some distance below, and is probably 
* Travels in Southern Africa. 
