THE TROPICAL ZONE. 263 



way thither through thick thorns" during a journey of 

 some hours, when, to our surprise, the bushes suddenly 

 cease, and as we emerge from them <{ the charming corn- 

 country of Ondonga lies yellow and broad as a sea before 

 us." The corn is of two different kinds, " one being the 

 Egyptian Doura, or very like it, and the other a kindred 

 kind to the Indian Badjera ; its head is cylindrical, and full 

 of small grey seeds, which, though not larger than those of 

 the Millet, are so numerous that each head contains a vast 

 deal of nutriment. Both kinds of corn grow to about eight 

 feet in height ; and in harvesting the reapers bend down the 

 stalks and only cut off the heads." 



"As we journey on, our surprise at the agricultural opu- 

 lence of the country is in no way decreased. The Ovarnpo 

 tribe (as the inhabitants are called) plant Beans and Peas as 

 well as corn, but adopt no systematic rotation of crops ;" 

 whilst part of the land is reserved for pasturage, After 

 roving at will over the plains of Africa, the traveller here 

 feels very much as a savage would do in England when par- 

 ticularly requested to keep to the pathways. The trees are 

 " nearly all of a magnificent size, as large as those in any 

 English park, whose foliage is so dense and green that a 

 real shade from the sun may be found beneath thenu" 



