Chap. VIII. 
BEAUTY OF COUNTRY AT UNKU. 
1G7 
the custom of the Bamangwato^ the Bechuanas come hither in 
search of skins and food among the Bushmen; but he could 
not be made to comprehend that there was no danger in the 
consignment. He feared the responsibility and guilt if anything 
should happen to them; so I had to bid adieu to all hope of 
letting my family hear of my welfare till I should reach the west 
coast. 
At Unku we came into a tract of country which had been 
visited by refreshing showers long before^ and every spot was 
covered with gvass run up to seed, and the flowers of the forest 
were in full bloom. Instead of the dreary prospect around Koobe 
and Nchokotsa, \ve had here a delightful scene, all the ponds full 
of water, and the birds twittering jo}AiUy. As the game can now 
obtain water everywhere, they become very shy, and cannot be 
found in their accustomed haunts. 
March, The thermometer in the shade generally stood at 
98® from 1 to 3 P.M., but it sank as low as 65® by night, so that 
the heat was by no means exhausting. At the surface of the 
ground, in the sun, the thermometer marked 125®, and tlnee 
inches below it 138®. The hand cannot be held on the ground, 
and even the horny soles of the feet of the natives must be pro¬ 
tected by sandals of liide; yet the ants were busy working on it. 
The water in the ponds was as lugh as 100®; but as water does 
not conduct heat readily downwards, deliciously cool water may 
be obtained by any one wallcing into the middle and Lifting up 
the water from the bottom to the surface with his hands. 
Proceeding to the north, from Kama-kama, we entered into 
dense Mohonono bush, which requned the constant application of 
the axe by tlnee of our party for two days. This bush has fine 
silvery leaves, and the bark has a sweet taste. The elephant, 
with liis usual delicacy of taste, feeds much on it. On emerging 
into the plains beyond, we found a number of Bushmen, who 
afterwards proved very serviceable. The rains had been copious, 
but now great numbers of pools were dryhig up. Lotus-plants 
abounded in them, and a low sweet-scented plant covered their 
banks. Breezes came occasionally to us from these drying-up 
pools; but the pleasant odour they carried caused sneezing in 
both myself and people ; and on the 10th of March (when in 
lat. 19® 16' 11" S., long. 24® 24' E.) we were brought to a stand 
