volcanic rocks of this country, have a hot fountain in
their vicinity, namely, that of Serinane.

In passing through these hills on our way north we enter a pass named
Manakalongwe, or Unicorn's Pass. The unicorn here is a large edible
caterpillar, with an erect, horn-like tail. The pass was also called
Porapora (or gurgling of water), from a stream having run through it.
The scene must have been very different in former times from what it is
now. This is part of the River Mahalapi, which so-called river scarcely
merits the name, any more than the meadows of Edinburgh deserve the
title of North Loch. These hills are the last we shall see for months.
The country beyond consisted of large patches of trap-covered tufa,
having little soil or vegetation except tufts of grass and wait-a-bit
thorns, in the midst of extensive sandy, grass-covered plains. These
yellow-colored, grassy plains, with moretloa and mahatla bushes, form
quite a characteristic feature of the country. The yellow or dun-color
prevails during a great part of the year. The Bakwain hills are an
exception to the usual flat surface, for they are covered with green
trees to their tops, and the valleys are often of the most lovely green.
The trees are larger too, and even the plains of the Bakwain country
contain trees instead of bushes. If you look north from the hills we are
now leaving, the country partakes of this latter character. It appears
as if it were a flat covered with a forest of ordinary-sized trees from
20 to 30 feet high, but when you travel over it they are not so closely
planted but that a wagon with care may be guided among them. The grass
grows in tufts of the size of one's hat, with bare soft sand between.
Nowhere here have we an approach to English lawns, or the pleasing
appearance of English greensward.

In no part of this country could European grain be cultivated without
irrigation. The natives all cultivate the dourrha or holcus sorghum,
maize, pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and different kinds of beans; and
they are entirely dependent for the growth of these on rains. Their
instrument of culture is the hoe, and the chief labor falls on the
female portion of the community. In this respect the Bechuanas closely
resemble the Caffres. The men engage in hunting, milk the cows, and
have the entire control of the cattle; they prepare the skins, make the
clothing, and in many respects may be considered a nation of tailors.

When at Sekomi's we