SYMPTOMS IN THE OX WHEN BITTEN. 471 



" From what I have seen of the tsetse," writes Mr. Oswell 

 to me, " I believe that three or four flies are sufficient to kill 

 a full-grown ox. We examined about twenty of ours that 

 were bitten and died, and the appearances were similar in all. 

 On raising the skin, we perceived a glairy appearance of the 

 muscles and flesh, which were much wasted. The stomach 

 and intestines were healthy ; heart, lungs, and liver, some- 

 times all, but invariably one or the other, much diseased. 

 The heart, in particular, attracted our attention. It was no 

 longer a firm and muscular organ, but collapsed readily on 

 compression, and had the appearance of flesh that had been 

 steeped in water. The blood of the whole carcass was greatly 

 diminished in quantity. Not more than twenty pints (a 

 small pailful) were obtained from the largest ox, and this 

 thick and albuminous ; the hands, when plunged into it, came 

 out free of stain. The poison would seem to grow in the 

 blood, and, through the blood, affect the vital organs. 



" A curious feature in the case is, that dogs, though 

 reared on milk, die if bitten,* while calves and other young 

 sucking animals are safe as long as they suck, Man, and all 

 the wild animals, escape with impunity. Can the poison be 

 alkaline, and neutralized by the acid f 



CHAPTER XXXVni. 



The Crocodile. — An Englishman killed by one of these Monsters. — 

 The Omoroanga Vavarra River. — Hardships. — Beautiful Scenerv. 

 — Leeholetebe's Treachery. — The Eeed-ferry. 



As we journeyed up the Teoge, we frequently observed 

 crocodiles basking in the sun in the more secluded parts of 

 the river. One day, while trying to trace a wounded ante- 

 not see ; and, in darkness, he neighed for his comrades who stood 

 feeding beside him." 



* A dog reared on the meat of game may be hunted in tsetse dis- 

 tricts in safety ! 



