200 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER CH. 



absorbed by skin and hair that it is neither sticky 

 nor greasy. Her hair she washes once a month, 

 using the leaves of a saponaceous plant instead of 

 soap, which latter-day product the natives say 

 dries up the hair and makes it turn grey. She 

 cleans her teeth with a utensil which she fashions 

 by chewing a twig of a saponaceous shrub until it is 

 fibrous, and this natural but effective tooth-brush 

 requires no dentifrice. In addition to the above 

 care of her person, her food is wholesome and 

 deliciously cooked, consisting of fish, vegetables, 

 flour-foods, fruit, and occasional fowls, and there are 

 no afternoon teas to disturb her digestion and affect 

 her nerves. She does not indulge in late and 

 mysteriously cooked suppers, but retires to rest 

 about two hours after sun-down and is up again at 

 sunrise. Her clothing has the looseness that per- 

 mits of perfect freedom of action, and in this respect 

 she closely, if unconsciously, follows the Grecian 

 ideal. A woman's dress usually consists of two 

 pieces of cloth (called kangas), which she winds 

 gracefully about her person. All native women 

 love jewellery, such as rings, bracelets, and neck- 

 laces ; and silver ornaments form an excellent 

 contrast to their dark skins. Both sexes are 

 passionately fond of dancing. 



The physical endurance of the African native is 

 great, and my carriers constantly carry loads 



