A TROPICAL BATHING-PLACE. 



MONG the different countries of the Globe, Africa takes precedence for the 

 RgiM number and variety of its larger forms of animal life. Over its desert 

 tracks, which man only traverses with pain and difficulty, herds of Gemsbok, 

 and other antelopes that are able to go for days without tasting a drop of water, 

 roam in undisturbed freedom ; while its forests and verdant plains are fairly crowded 

 with the countless forms of other species of the same tribe, mingling with the great 

 herds of gigantic- Elephants, which leisurely feed upon the drooping branches of the 

 lofty trees, as they move in stately procession beneath their grateful shade. From 

 the shelter of many a favouring thicket, apparently in serious meditation, its small, 

 spiteful looking eyes shining brightly, the huge, ungainly Rhinoceros surveys the 

 teeming plain, or watches the lofty Giraffe, as he moves with awkward strides 

 through the leafy groves. Baboons too are seen, gravely sitting in solemn conclave 

 at the edge of their rocky fastnesses, discussing some weighty subject of their political 

 economy7and held in check by a hoary patriarch, who reproves in the most summary 

 manner all attempts at unseemly gambols. The majestic Lion and graceful Leopard 

 are not absent, but resting in their lairs deep in some tangled brake, and will emerge 

 at night to enter again upon their course of rapine and destruction, followed by 

 their satellites the cowardly Hyena and yelping Jackall. Birds of strange form and 

 curious habits are met with everywhere, from the tall Secretary stalking over the 

 plain intently seeking his usual serpent prey, to the industrious little Weavers, that 



