Through the Semliki Valley 205 



appearance as well as its tusks, we took to be a dwarfed repre- 

 sentative of its class. Dr. Schubotz and I unfortunately only 

 found the spinal column next morning, together with the care- 

 fully severed head, as the entire remainder had already found 

 its way into the stomachs of the cunning Wambutti and carriers. 

 The length from the spine to the pelvis was only 112 centimetres, 

 that of the head from the start of the ivory to the occiput 

 66 centimetres, with a height of 43 centimetres. The measure- 

 ments of the longest tusk, inclusive of the portion contained in 

 the skull, were 78 centimetres by 23 centimetres thickness at the 

 egress from the skull. 



All forest folk differentiate between " small " and " big " 

 elephants, a description on which one can certainly base no con- 

 clusions as to age or race. The accuracy of the designation is, 

 however, clearly confirmed by many small tracks found with the 

 large ones. Our lack of time for the further elucidation of this 

 interesting question was all the more regrettable. 



Hopefully as our excursion into the great forest had com- 

 menced, and successfully as it had proceeded, it was to end 

 sadly for us. Even at Muera, Weiss had complained of pains in 

 his side. As his condition threatened to become worse, and as 

 he was incapable of walking, he had to be carried back to Beni. 

 He there claimed the help of Dr. Mortula, who quickly diagnosed 

 an abscess on the liver. Weiss, therefore, instead of proceeding 

 with his very successful topographical work, found himself com- 

 pelled to lie in bed and undergo a severe course of treatment. 

 A few days later I received a letter from Captain Creydt, who 

 had attached himself to Raven's party, telling me that Raven 

 was lying at Kasindi, after having been badly injured by a 

 buffalo. Raven had followed a wounded buffalo into the dense 

 matete within five paces, and had suffered such a sudden and 

 surprising attack on the beast's part that it was impossible to 

 avoid it. The enraged animal had got him on his horns and 

 hurled him into the air ; then he had rushed at the unconscious 

 man and broken several of his ribs, caused him various flesh 

 wounds, and three times pierced the muscles of his right arm. 



