THE BED 



storm the water will be carried away, and will not 

 flood the tent, with disastrous consequences to food, 

 clothes and rifles. Even if the weather is fine, it is 

 foolish to omit this precaution, for in the tropics a 

 storm will burst with startling rapidity and violence. 



In the healthy climates of Canada, Australia and 

 parts of Mexico, a man may live with a minimum 

 amount of equipment for months in the wilds without 

 any inconvenience ; but in tropical Africa there is so 

 much to contend with, that it is imperative to increase 

 the size of the outfit, and what would be luxuries in 

 one country become necessities in the other. A 

 strong folding bedstead (for instance, the " Com- 

 pactum ") and a comfortable chair should be taken. 

 The best form of the latter is the " Rhoorkee," which 

 has an adjustable back. It weighs 4 lb. and packs 

 into a very small compass. Canvas deck-chairs are 

 extremely comfortable, but they are bulky, and make 

 an awkward load. After a hard day's march these 

 articles will be much appreciated. A mosquito net 

 is, of course, essential, and since an efficient one 

 naturally excludes a certain amount of air, it should 

 be large, made to hang from the roof of the tent, 

 and weighted at the bottom. This is preferable to 

 tucking it under the bedclothes, for if this is done 

 and any part of the sleeper's person become uncovered 

 and touch the net, it immediately forms the object of 

 a venomous attack. A non-inflammable net can now 

 be obtained, and it certainly possesses many advan- 

 tages over the old form. 



It is hardly necessary to point out that, in tropical 



and unhealthy countries, strict personal cleanliness is 



of the utmost importance in the preservation of 



health. The most convenient form of bath is made 



T 289 



