A SUMPTUOUS DINNER. 
135 
Still, however, though in a less tried district, 
there seemed but little game, and what was seen 
GIGANTIC ANT-HILL. 
was wild. Returning to the camp next day, " I 
stopped in the afternoon," he writes, " when the 
boys found a nest of small bees, full of delicious 
honey, on which and coffee I dined sumptuously." 
And now discouraged by the wildness and 
all African settlers and travellers, devouring everything except iron or 
tin, whilst in time even houses succumb to their ravages. They form, 
however, an article of food in many places amongst the natives, by 
whom they are much esteemed on account of their slightly acid flavour. 
The enormous structures they erect are frequently carried up the 
trunk of a high tree, or may sometimes be seen standing alone at a 
height of 18 feet, as in the accompanying sketch, which was taken 
between Tati and Shoshong. The Dutch Boers and others make use 
of these ant-hills for cooking purposes, hollowing out the lower portion 
of the heap, and filling the hollow thus formed with wood, which is 
lighted, and, when consumed, renders the receptacle an admirable 
oven, retaining its heat for a great length of time." 
