40 WAGNER and TREVOR 



tation of any description is present they should be given from 8 Ibs. 

 to 10 Ibs. of compressed forage or lucerne per diem in addition 

 to the oats. 



In those parts of the Kalahari where the Tsamma melon grows, 

 camels need neither to be fed nor watered. 



Particularly in the Namib camels have a tendency to develop 

 nasty skin sores and it is advisable to carry a strong antiseptic 

 dressing for these. 



d. NATIVE BEARERS. 



In those parts of the sub-continent, over which the tsetse fly is 

 distributed, and in forest and swamp country the recognised and 

 probably surest means of transport is by native bearer ; this method 

 being very largely employed in East and South East Africa and Angola. 



Loads average 60 Ibs. for one man and about 90 Ibs. for two 

 men (double load), so that all equipment has to be put in boxes 

 and bales not exceeding these amounts. 



The average rate of travel is about 14 miles per diem, but at the 

 start a bearer should not be required to do more than about 10 miles. 



Light steel boxes with locks or fibre cases are best for carrying 

 supplies, as they are impervious to the attack of white ants. 



With regard to the packing and sorting out of the loads according 

 to weight, natives should always be allowed to pack their own 

 loads as they please, being adepts in this. 



The caravan generally consists of a headman, who is in charge 

 of the porters and caravan generally ; one or two tent boys ; a gun 

 boy; a cook boy and cook's mate, who also do the washing; a 

 post boy for carrying letters and dispatches ; and the requisite number 

 of professional porters. 



Porters can be hired almost anywhere within the regions where 

 this mode of transport is in vogue. It often pays to get them through 

 the Native Commissioner of the particular district as this ensures 

 that they will not desert. 



The number of porters required will depend upon the weight of 

 equipment and food to be carried, the distance that is to be tra- 

 velled and the nature of the country to be traversed. 



A porter's ration is 2 Ibs. of mealie meal per diem, and in areas 

 where no food can be purchased enough meal has to be carried to 

 enable the expedition to reach its objective. To take a simple illustra- 

 tion, assuming the distance to be covered to be 200 miles, then at 

 least 15 days rations would have to be carried, or in other words 

 30 Ibs. per man; so that if the food and equipment of the party 



