THE EUPHORBIA CANDELABRUIM GAME. 91 



places covered with the graceful but poisonous eupJwrlia 

 candelabrum. 



The Ovaherero tip their arrows with this vegetable poi- 

 son, and the Hill-Damaras introduce it in a liquid state 

 into pools where wild beasts are known to drink; and the 

 flesh of any animal thus destroyed is perfectly wholesome. 

 But its most remarkable property is, that while it invariably 

 kills the white rhinoceros, it is freely and harmlessly partaken 

 of by the hlack species, whether the plant itself be eaten, or a 

 solution of it drunk. The juice of the euphorhia candelabrum 

 has a milk-white appearance, and is very gummy, with an 

 acrid taste. 



The wild bee is occasionally known to extract its food 

 from the flowers and the juice of this cactus. In such a case 

 the honey becomes more or less poisonous. Mr. Moffat 

 mentions an instance of his party suffering much pain and 

 inconvenience from having partaken of such honey. They 

 felt as if their throats had been on fire. 



In seasons when rain falls abundantly, Onanis becomes 

 one of the finest grazing localities throughout Namaqua-land, 

 and is capable of sustaining many hundred head of cattle for 

 several months together. The hills then afford a variety of 

 shrubs and bushes of which goats and sheep are fond. The 

 surrounding plains are covered with fine grass, and a species 

 of yellow flower much relished by the cattle. 



This district used to be one of Hans' favorite camping 

 places ; for, besides the abundant and excellent pasture- 

 grounds, it was largely resorted to by game of all kinds, and 

 is still frequented by the lion, the gemsbok, the giraffe, the 

 zebra, the gnoo, the rhinoceros, and several other animals. 



We were to have resumed our journey on the following 

 night, but in the interval Hans' right hand and arm had 

 suddenly, and from some unknown cause, swelled in a most 

 alarming manner. In consequence of this mishap, we found 

 it necessary to devote another day to rest. 



