The region of broad plains diversified by wooded granite eminences, which stretches north and north-west of Griqualand West as far as the Kalahari wilderness, now also forms part of the British South African possessions. The Dutch settlers in the Transvaal republic had long been encroaching on the domain of their Bechuana neighbours, and had even here founded the two petty states of Stellaland and Goshen,^[1] with the ulterior purpose of incorporating them in the Transvaal. The suzerain power was accordingly compelled to interfere in defence

Fig. 49. — Chief routes of the explorers north of the South African colonies.

of the rights of the natives, who were glad to accept the British protectorate in order to obtain permanent relief from the incessant raids of the Boer filibusters on their eastern borders.

The region thus definitely annexed to the colonial dominion comprises that portion only of Bechuanaland which is bounded on the south by the Orange, on the west by the almost permanently dry bed of the Hygap, and northwards by