Habits of the " Drivers'' of West Africa. 13 



and universal movement of rats, mice, lizards, Blapsidce, Blatt'idce, 

 and of the numerous vermin that infest our dwellings. Not being 

 agreed, they cannot dwell together, which modifies in a good mea- 

 sure the severity of the Drivers' habits, and renders their visits 

 sometimes (though very seldom in my view) desirable. 



Their ascent into our beds we sometimes prevent by placing 

 the feet of the bedsteads into a basin of vinegar, or some other 

 uncongenial fluid ; this will generally be successful if the rooms 

 are ceiled, or the floors overhead tight, otherwise they will drop 

 down upon us, bringing along with them their noxious prey in the 

 very act of contending for victory. 



They move over the house with a good degree of order unless 

 disturbed, occasionally spreading abroad, ransacking one point 

 after another, till, either having found something desirable, they 

 collect upon it, when they may be destroyed " en masse" by hot 

 water ; or, disappointed, they abandon the premises as a barren 

 spot, and seek some other more promising for exploration. When 

 they are fairly in we give up the house, and try to await with 

 patience their pleasure, thankful, indeed, if permitted to remain 

 within the narrow limits of our beds or chairs. 



They are decidedly carnivorous in their propensities. Fresh 

 meat of all kinds is their favourite food ; fresh oils they also love, 

 especially that of the Elais guiniensis, either in the fruit or ex- 

 pi'essed. Under my observation they pass by milk, sugar, and 

 pastry of all kinds, also salt meat ; the latter, when boiled, they 

 have eaten, but not with the zest of fresh. It is an incorrect 

 statement, often made, that " they devour every thing eatable" by 

 us in our houses ; there are many articles which form an excep- 

 tion. If a heap of rubbish comes within their route, they inva- 

 riably explore it, when larvae and insects of all orders may be seen 

 borne off in triumph, — especially the former. 



