With Flashlight and Rifle -* 



several years of drought, is to be found in great 

 abundance. 



In the Nyika one constantly comes across large white- 

 ant heaps, several feet high and of considerable width. 

 During the night the tiny builders are untiringly active 

 in raising and building their fortresses, which are very 

 strongly put together. At the approach of the rainy season 

 the ants, which by this time are winged, arise from the 

 ground in swarms to set out on their long wedding journey 

 in the air to lay the foundations of new colonies elsewhere. 

 Most of them know perfectly how to use their little white 

 pinions, although it is the first and only time in their lives 

 that they rise from the dark depths of the ground in the 

 damp evening atmosphere. Some, however, flutter to 

 the ground in a piteous plight, with their wings broken. 

 They will never undertake the striven-for journey. But 

 what does it matter, since there are myriads left to fulfil 

 their vocation ? 



Here and there the steppes are adorned with the 

 well-known monkey-bread tree (Adansonia digitate}. 

 Covered with a shining bright grey bark, this tree often 

 attains a circumference of many yards, and, in spite of 

 its grotesqueness, charms us with its primeval appear- 

 ance. The traveller soon learns to value it, for often 

 rich stores of water lie hidden in the hollow trunk stores 

 that have been supplied by the rainy season which 

 may be the only water to be found in the district for 

 several days' journey. 



Sometimes one comes across deep ravines and gullies 

 that cut through the landscape. For months and years 



54 



