Chap. XXV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 219 



ever, venturing to any distance from the river, the 

 stronghold to which they betake themselves on the 

 smallest alarm. Occasionally during the dav they 

 were to be seen basking on the shore amid ooze and 

 mud ; but shots were more constantly to be had at 

 tlieir uncouth heads, when protruded from the water 

 to draw breath, and if killed, the body rose to the 

 surface. Vulnerable only behind the ear, however, 

 or in the eye, which is placed in a prominence, so as 

 to resemble the garret- window of a Dutch house, 

 they require the perfection of rifle practice, and after 

 a few shots become exceedingly shy, exhibiting the 

 snout only, and as instantly withdrawing it. The 

 flesh is delicious, resembling pork in flavour, and 

 abounding in fat, which in the colony is deservedly 

 esteemed the greatest of delicacies. The hide is 

 upwards of an inch and a half in thickness, and 

 being scarcely flexible, may be dragged from the 

 ribs in strips like the planks from a ship's side. Of 

 these are manufactured a superior description of 

 sjambok, the elastic whip already noticed as being 

 an indispensable piece of furniture to every boor 

 proceeding on a journey. Our followers encumbered 

 the waggons with a large investment of them, and 

 of the canine teeth, the ivory of which is extremely 

 profitable. 



Of all the mammalia, whose portraits, drawn 

 from ill-stuffed specimens, have been foisted upon 

 the world, the Behemoth has perhaps been the most 

 ludicrously misrepresented. I sought in vain for 

 that colossal head — for those cavern-like jaws, gar- 



L2 



