182 MY SOMALI BOOK 



and of a different type, the horns being remarkably 

 upright with unusually small spread, but more than 

 usually curved. 



Marching again next day, I saw some alakiit, but 

 they contrived to efface themselves without giving 

 me a chance. The formation of some of these Maritime 

 hills was remarkable : steep slopes with an absolutely 

 flat top strewn with rough black stones of various 

 sizes, but nearly all more or less rounded, conveying 

 the impression of a fall of giant black hail-stones. 



At the midday halt there was an unusual growth of 

 small palms in long grass about a huge fig-tree (Somali 

 sik), of which I measured the circumference three feet 

 from the ground, and found it to be 43J feet. 



Next morning, crossing a stony plateau south of 

 Eil Anod, we heard the hoarse barking of baboons, 

 and presently met a troop, about thirty of all sizes. 

 Two huge males passed within fifty yards, stopping 

 every now and then to pluck the young shoots off the 

 bushes, or to make faces at us ; their substantial 

 manes rendering it quite possible to believe that, as 

 I was told, they are sometimes mistaken for lions at 

 a distance ; while with their powerful arms and teeth 

 it is not difficult to imagine them, in combination, 

 proving formidable adversaries to any assailant. 



A thick growth of the armo creeper further on made 

 quite a fascinating arbour in which to put in a siesta 

 in the heat of the day ; here nearing the coast it was 

 decidedly hot. Some Habr Awal kiddies peeped in 

 to investigate : shy at first, they soon made friends ; 

 mother watching from a short distance hoping it was 

 quite safe. 



