138 SAVAGE SUDAN 



The dual services, i.e., that of the hunter abroad and 

 that of the zoologist at home, are essentially complemen- 

 tary, and should be brought into effective co-ordination. 

 So long as the first is careless and neglectful of opportunity, 

 the other (lacking "material") is apt to plunge into theory 

 and wild deduction that clouds every issue. 1 



Beyond the Zeraf River the main Nile assumes that 

 irregular subdivided course already indicated. It is, 

 moreover, flanked by infinite lateral lagoons teeming 

 with wild-life, and each an example of amazing " struggles 

 for existence." These sequestered pools are darkened 

 by mobs of ducks and geese spurwing and comb-geese, 

 whistling- teal, etc. along with all the other water- fowl in 

 thousands, but all complacently regardless of their human 

 neighbours, of the stark Shilluks coal-black, ebonite 

 figures attending their herds close by ; in fact, birds, 

 beasts, and savage men seem all mixed in confusion, 

 neither noticing the other. These lagoons too, are full 

 of fish, many of large size, and all being prisoners cut 

 off at the dry season from the main stream are at the 

 mercy of enemies of every genus. Crocodiles and pelicans 

 pouch them by wholesale, and the Shilluk with poised 

 spear, wades, heron -like, amidst the fringing reeds. 

 Frequently we saw these savages, casting at a venture, 

 transfix victims that looked like ten to twenty-pounders, 

 great silvery perch with eyes like rubies and scales big 

 as half-crowns. Perhaps that term "the struggle for 

 existence " becomes a misnomer where the weaker section 

 seems complacently and resignedly almost apathetically 

 to accept the office, each in turn, of providing a food- 

 supply to its stronger neighbours. 



Often on some long spit or shelving mud-bank, crowded 

 to the last inch with massed water-fowl geese, cranes, and 



1 The functions of the systematist, after all, are subsidiary or ancillary ; 

 he is the "hewer of wood and drawer of water." It is the explorer, the 

 wilderness-hunter, and the field-naturalist who discover distant forests and 

 locate the secret spring-heads. 



