AETISTIC INSTINCTS. 213 



boxes made from one piece of wood, in imitation of the trunks 

 in which the Arabs carry their clothes, prove this abundantly. 

 The legs of anJearebs, made of blackened wood, and carved by 

 the Monbuttu with a knife, hold their own when compared with 

 the work of the lathe. It is true, however, that real artists, 

 who carve heads and figures, &c, are more numerous amongst 

 the A-Zande. The pottery, although made out of very coarse 

 clay, surprises one by the varieties in design, the pure taste 

 exhibited in the decorations, which are often in relief, as also 

 by the presence of handles or depressions for the fingers. 

 As a rule, the pottery is unglazed, and the original clay is 

 not coloured, nor is it even freed from its mica scales. In 

 all their workmanship the Monbuttu exhibit much good taste, 

 and, as willing and clever workmen, they thoroughly appre- 

 ciate good work. How far their love for symmetry leads them 

 is shown by the fact that the wood, which is cut during the 

 dry season and piled up in the huts for use in the wet season, 

 is regularly dressed, and has its smooth sides decorated in 

 various colours. 



