May 12, iSSi J 



NATURE 



37 



the Zambesi. The expedition started in November, 

 1S73, with four Europeans, a ^yaggon and eight oxen, 

 with a Griqua driver, a saddle-horse, and nine dogs. 

 From Dutoitspan it first went to Musemanyana, which is 

 the most northerly possession of the Koranna king of 

 i\Iarnusa. On the north and east it is bounded by plains 

 abounding in game, to which the author gave the name 

 of the " Quagga flats." They belong to Montsua, and 

 are the common hunting grounds of Batlapins, Barolongs, 

 Korannas, and the Dutch farmers from the Western 

 Transraal. From Musemanyana they journeyed to Mo- 

 shaneng. At Konana they found an immense abundance 

 of game : gnus, blessbocks, hartebeests, springbocks, and 

 zebras grazed in herds. A very interesting account is 

 given of Molema's town : the sale of brandy is prohibited ; 

 European cereals have been introduced ; two mission- 



aries were found here. Moshaneng is a Eechuana to.vn, 

 with a population of some 70CX), many of v/hom have 

 given up their heathen rites. Moloapolole was the r.c.\t 

 place visited. It was the residence of King Sechele, of whom 

 we have lately heard a good deal. The number of his 

 subjects was then estimated at about 35,000, while n.'si- 

 dent but non-tributary tribes amounted to from 18,000 to 

 20,000 more. 



Dr. Holub describes the king, somewhat harshly we 

 think, as looking every inch a hypocrite. The king's 

 house, furnished in European fashion, had cost him some 

 3000/. He was the first of the six Bechuana kings to 

 profess Christianity, but for all that he evidently is a 

 believer in the doctrine that "the end justifies the means." 

 Tea was served in cups ; it was good, and the cakes 

 unexceptionable ; the sugar-basin, &c., were all of silver. 



The king evidently enjoyed his tea, of which he swallowed 

 nearly a quart. Addressing the king. Dr. Holub said : 

 "When 1 was only thirteen years of age I read your 

 name in Nyaka Livingstone's book. I little thought then 

 that I should ever see you to speak to you ; far more 

 surprising is it to me to find myself drinking tea in your 

 palace." The king, although still said to practise rain 

 magic, replied sanctimoniously, "His ways are past find- 

 ing out." 



The Barwas and the Masanvas, although perhaps not 

 really identical, are known by either name promiscuously 

 amongst the Northern Bechuanas. They may be described 

 as a cross between some branches of the Makalahari and 

 the Bushmen. Their form, complexion, language, and 

 customs afford various indications of their double origin. 

 They are adepts at hunting, and are employed as hunters 

 by their Bechuana masters. They use bows and arrows, 



and are very adroit in capturing animals by means of 

 poisoned assegais. Their huts look something like IarL;e 

 haycocks, consisting of a framework of stakes driven into 

 the earth, fastened together firmly at the top, about five 

 feet from the ground, and covered with a layer of twigs 

 and dry grass. The Masarwas are of medium height, 

 reddish-brown coinplexion, and a repulsive cast of coun- 

 tenance. They have a great aversion to agriculture and 

 to cattle-breeding. They do not practise stone carving 

 or use any stone utensils. They are very superstitious ; 

 treat their wives well, and show a great regard for their 

 dogs. They pierce the nasal cartilage on reaching maturity; 

 wear a body-cloth of hide. They suffer much from cold : 

 but instead of lighting fires in their huts like the Korannas, 

 regularly light these in the open air. The accompanying 

 illustration shows these Masarwas at homo. 



From Molopole the route lay to Shoshong. This was 



