THE MSUAKI BUSH 



found many times to my cost. The meat is particu- 

 larly tough and stringy, and has in addition a very 

 offensive taste. My two Borana, however, were only 

 too pleased, and attempted to show me, by rubbing 

 their bellies and by other gestures, their delight at 

 the thought of the coming meal. 



The following morning I left Melka Adi as the 

 first streak of dawn was showing in the east, and 

 following the right-hand bank of the river marched 

 at first south and then west. 



The typical alluvial flats so characteristic of the 

 country between Melka Dera and Melka Waja had 

 given place to grass-covered plains, dotted plentifully 

 with little islands of thorn-scrub. A few dom palms 

 were conspicuous amidst the acacia trees that hid 

 the river from view, and below, in the undergrowth, 

 the " msuaki " bush could occasionally be seen. This 

 shrub is eagerly sought by the Somali, for from its 

 soft and fibrous branches they make their "tooth- 

 sticks." No other tribe I have met take greater 

 care of their teeth than they, and whenever suitable 

 twigs are to be found they will cut small pieces and 

 chew the end until it is soft and frayed, which thus 

 forms a rough tooth-brush. They will then spend 

 hours rubbing and rubbing, until they are satisfied 

 that their teeth are clean. 



There were a considerable number of Grevy's 

 zebra, waterbuck, Grant's gazelle, oryx and a few 

 gerenuk, but I did not wish to shoot until I was 

 nearer the village for which I was making. At 

 length we left the river, and skirting the edge of a 

 large grass-covered plain soon reached the Borana 

 boma to which my guides belonged. It was still 

 quite early, so while my tent was being pitched I 



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