CLIMATE, FLORA, AND FAUNA. 



189 



Like the flora, the fauna of this Abyssinian district also presents a great diver- 

 sity, although on the whole the types are similar, Shoa appears to be the home of 

 the colubvs guereza, an ape with a splendid black and white fur, which gives it 

 a monkish appearance. The superstitious natives regard these animals almost as 

 hermits, in consequence of their shy habits and the colour of their coats. In the 

 Awash basin are also found oxen, distinguished beyond all others for the size of 

 their horns, which attain a length of some six feet, with a thickness of six inches 

 at the base. The upland prairies are overrun by a zebra, equus Grevyiy with 



Fig. 60.— Routes of the Chief Explorers in the Lower Awash Begion. 



Scale 1 : 4,500,000. 



t of breenwich 



45° 



60 Miles. 



extremely curious purple-black stripes. The Galla horse, which dies if taken far 

 from its native mountains, has the thin legs, delicate head, full and shapely 

 crupper, and the fire and obstinacy found amongst the pure Russian breeds. 

 The animal most appreciated in Southern Abyssinia, from an economical point 

 of view, is the civet cat {civetta viverra), whose musky secretion is monopolised 

 by many of the sovereigns of the country. The males, who alone furnish this 

 essence, are kept in packs of from one to three hundred, each animal being 

 enclosed in a long cage made so narrow as to prevent him turning round ; the 



