ACEOSS LAKE CHAD 



213 



heroically against E-abeh and had lost their lives in 

 60 doing. He conducted us to a house that contained 

 a vast bed, the pillars of which are black, and which is 

 made to accommodate eight people. On three and a 

 half sides it is surrounded by fine black woven matting, 

 the mesh of which is small enough to make it mosquito- 

 proof The remaining half-side is protected by a long 

 piece of cloth, which is pulled down and tucked in after 

 the occupants are in bed. We thought it must be the 

 possession of some great dignitary, but learnt next day 

 that it is an habitual article of furniture. Except for 



Bedstead. 



the Buduma on Lake Chad this was the only place where 

 we saw natives resort to any such protection against 

 mosquitos ; everywhere else a fire in the room was con- 

 sidered sufficient. 



A Buduma settlement lies close beside the town. 

 The houses are dotted about without attempt at streets 

 or method, and any big space between them is utilised, 

 either for weaving apparatus made from carved pieces 

 off" the canoes, or for the drying of fishing-nets. 



There is so much similarity in structure between 

 these and the Arab houses that we strongly suspect 

 the people of having adopted their neighbours' customs. 



