62 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



is that while the former will not proceed over half a 

 mile from where they have imbibed the subtle fluid 

 before being incapacitated from going further, the 

 latter will travel many miles ere they drop, if drop 

 they do, for I am convinced that many of these 

 escape death from this poison, although possibly 

 brought very close to it. 



Among carnivorous animals, such as lions, 

 leopards, hyaenas, dogs, etc., it does not produce 

 death, only stupefies them for the time being ; at 

 least, such was my observation in reference to my 

 dogs, when I knew that they had drunk a quantity of 

 the poisoned water. It is to be regretted that the 

 natives should use such a means to secure game, for I 

 know of a whole herd, amounting to over fifty zebras, 

 perishing in one night, although the requirements 

 of the few inhabitants of the district would have 

 been amply supplied by a couple of carcases, for it 

 must be remembered that in these regions decom- 

 position sets in very rapidly after life becomes 

 extinct. 



The third poison used by these most interesting 

 natives, especially the Bushmen, is that taken from 

 the glands of the mamba, cobra, or puff-adder, with 

 which the points of their arrows are thickly coated. 

 Exposure appears to weaken the virus of these 

 reptiles ; for, previous to any important hunt taking 

 place, the barbs of their tiny weapons receive a fresh 

 dressing of the baneful fluid. Game killed by al 



