NATAL. 125 



although in the Ladysmith and Newcastle districts 

 a few herds of protected hartebeestes roam about, 

 it is difficult to get permission to shoot one, and 

 a rifle is therefore a useless encumbrance unless 

 for target practice. In the Zulu country, not far 

 from the Natal boundary, hippos and alligators 

 are fairly plentiful, in places, and even a few rhinos, 

 buffaloes, and lions are still to be had in the eastern 

 bush of Zululand near the coast, as are also elands, 

 koodoos, brindled gnus, and smaller antelopes 

 such as reitbucks, impalas, and rosebucks. The 

 country there away is feverish during the greater 

 part of the year ; all hunting must be done on 

 foot, as the tsetse-fly abounds. The Natal 

 country is unpleasant to ride over on account of 

 the excessive prevalence of holes, stones, and 

 impracticable " dongas " or nullahs. Everywhere 

 snakes, too, are more plentiful than agreeable, and 

 are both large and very venomous. Two species 

 of mambas, one of the most deadly of the serpent 

 tribe, ranging from six to eight or more feet in 

 length, are often met with, and puff-adders, 

 mountain adders, and yellow cobras are in places 

 very numerous. Pythons are to be found near the 

 coast, averaging from twelve to fifteen feet in 



