THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION. 95 



nates. The sores are usually dressed with caustic herbs, and 

 are thereby made worse. Exostosis is common, and its syphi- 

 litic origin recognised. The same is true of partial loss of 

 pigment, especially on the hands, which is very common in 

 Uganda. Syphilis is said to have been unknown in Uganda 

 formerly, and to have first shown itself there in Kamrasi's time. 

 The disease then made its way to the east, and first appeared 

 in the districts ruled by Kionga, whereas it was still unknown 

 there in the time of his brother and predecessor, Kabadima. (It 

 has followed the track of the Nubians !) Excessive development 

 of the Labia pudendorum sometimes occurs. In Uganda, by 

 methodical stretching and tying, a considerable lengthening 

 of the Labia minor is produced. Circumcision is not in vogue, 

 except among the inhabitants of Londii, who came from the 

 west. 



Africa seems to be the original home of the doctrine of 

 predestination. Faith begets superstition. If an owl screeches 

 near the house, its master dies. If a hysena or a jackal re- 

 peatedly approaches the house, misfortune is at hand ; when 

 the rhinoceros-bird croaks, rain may be looked for. If a 

 wagtail sings on the threshold, guests or presents arrive. If 

 a man kills wagtails in the house, fire breaks out in it. If a 

 wagtail forsakes its nest made in the house, misfortune is near. 

 Vultures and ravens are chiefs among the birds, and their 

 slaughter causes illness. If vultures alight on the top of 

 a poor man's house, he will receive rich gifts and presents. 

 Skin of the otter {Lutra inunguis) worn on the body acts as an 

 aphrodisiac. A piece of the hide of the white rhinoceros, worn 

 on the body, makes a man invulnerable. If a woman is the 

 first to enter the house in the morning, it is a good sign ; if a 

 man, the contrary. An eclipse of the sun announces the death 

 of the ruler. If on moving from one house to another, anything 

 is broken or a woman falls on the way, the family returns to 

 the house it has just left. If, on starting for a campaign, a 

 buffalo runs across the path, or a guinea-fowl flies up before 

 the warriors, this portends the death of many men, and every- 

 one turns back. The bat, which flies into the house, brings 

 news. The Wanyoro spit three times whenever they see a 

 shooting-star. 



