The area described in the following pages is situated between I5° and I6° east longitude, and 2I° and 2I° 30' south latitude. Omaruru, which is on the narrow-gauge railway line between Usakos and Grootfontein, lies in the eastern part of the area, and forms the major social centre. Okombahe in the west is a mission station in the Damara Native Reserve while Omajette in the north is the headquarters of the Native Commissioner for the Damara and Herero Native Reserve. The area was geologically surveyed in I927 and 1928 by Drs. S. H. Haughton, T.W. Gevers and H. F. Frommurze. During I936 Messrs. C. M. Schwellnus and P. J. Rossouw were commissioned to revise the area, paying special attention to the portions of economic significance. Reference is frequently made in these pages to the Erongo and Karibib districts, which lie south of the area and were surveyed by Drs. T. W. Gevers and H. F. Frommurze in I928 and by Mr. P . J. Rossouw in I937.