350 NATURAL SCIENCE. Nov.. 



the pool at Kuredelli (p. 190), and in the background are some trees, 

 which may be those in question ; if so, they are probably Tnmavix. 

 The white bulbs at the base of the thorns of the " galol " {Acacia sp.) 

 are apparently regarded as an essential part of the tree, though 

 they are an abnormal growth due to the attacks of ants. The 

 section on the ethnology might also be improved. The use of the 

 term negrito is rather loose, and we regret the absence of more 







■■■'t.!^' 



« 



^ ^ 



"i^ ' 







-4 



x; 



Fig. 2. 



definite information about the Tomal and Midgan, two of the most 

 interesting tribes in Somaliland. The author has probably seen more 

 than anyone else of the Midgans, but his account does not solve the 

 problems in connection with their affinities and origin. The author 

 is enthusiastic over the Somali, but he is quite conscious of their 

 failings ; he obviously has the power of getting rapidly into sympathy 





Fig. 3. 



with his men, and thus has been enabled to utilise to the fullest their 

 intelligence, pluck, and devotion. But he admits that bad Somali are 

 mutinous, surly, and lazy, and may be cowards to boot ; and he justly 

 accuses the Somali as a race with being careless, vain, avaricious, 

 and passionate. He attributes their ostentatious devotion to their 

 prayers simply to a desire to show off. Captain Swayne's account of 

 the Somali is, of course, less complete than that of Paulitschke, but 

 it is the best we know in English. It gives a good account of their 



