from the Wodehouse and Aliwal districts to near Harrismith and Maritzburg. They are the highest mountains in South Africa, reaching in some parts eleven thousand feet in altitude: and are formed of peculiar brown rock overlying the great beds of sandstone forming those edges of the great central plateau—called in parts the Stormberg and Drakensberg. This sandstone when it crops out among and about the Malutis and elsewhere, forms here and there overhanging rocks, sometimes so hollowed as to be caves. Under such rocks Bushmen paintings are frequently found. Mr. George Stowe collected a number of copies of these in the Queen’s Town district; and at his request I copied such as I found during surveying trips in the outskirts of the Malutis in the Wodehouse district. Many of the paintings of animals and men are surprisingly well done; and I may here suggest inquiry how far these paintings extend in South Africa, and whether any differences exist between the traditions, mythology, and religion of those Bushmen tribes who do not paint and those who possess a talent so remarkable in a savage tribe, and whether its development or loss may be attributed to cave facilities and their want, or to some other cause? (There are also Bushmen tribes in some parts who make no bows,) Dr. Bleek could probably suggest the direction of inquiries supplementing his researches, and there are yet many Bushmen in every part of South Africa who must retain their traditions, and many gentlemen who could afford a few hours’ leisure to make inquiries for him. Mr. Stowe and I both found paintings with apparently a mythological meaning, or representing certain quasi-religious rites. These are not always fit for publication,—they coincided curiously with representations from ancient mythologies. We could not obtain a clue, and one old Bushman questioned by Mr. Stowe was obstinately mysterious and silent. At last I chanced upon at least a partial clue, which may perhaps lead to others. The rebellion of Langalibalele’s tribe led me to pass through a part of the Malutis generally unknown, and which had been exclusively the haunt of Bushmen. The Natal Government informed me that the rebels were moving through the Malutis, intending to enter the territory under my charge, and I was desired to act against
