PYGMIES AND FOllEST NEGROES 



341 



able to shape iron implements and weapons, though from all accounts 

 they seem unable themselves to smelt iron. Thev obtain the pit^-metal 

 from then- Inuger neighbours by negotiation, and tlien forge it into the 

 requu-ed forms.* I l,ave reason to believe that some of the Dwarf tribes 

 m the very far interior of the forest do not even use iron, but enth'ely 

 contine themselves to weap'ous and impl.-ments made of sharpened wood, 

 reeds, or palm shreds. It is aho probable that even in the case of those 

 ^^'''" '"^'"" "■^'' iron f^a- their axes, knives, daggers, and arrow-heads, I lie use 

 of this metal is of quite recent origin, and that all the Pygmies of the 

 Congo fVirest until a few jumdred years ago twhen they were'forced more 



29b. l'V(;_-\[]l-:s 



into contact with the bigger agricultural negroes from the north and south 

 througli the invasion of the f'ongo Poorest) were unacquainted witli the use 

 ot metals. I do not think there lias been yet found amongst them any trace 

 of stone or Hint implements. 



Their Jiohnci^ are curious little structui-es not more than three feet high 

 in the centre, roughly circular in sbajie. "I'hese huts are made by planting 

 the lower ends of long, flexible liranches into thi' soil, Ijending o\er the 

 witlie or branch until its upper point is also thrust into the sciil, thus 



* This is wliat the Pygmies tell me ; but Dr. tStubluiaini, who has carefully observed 

 tlieni, denies that tliey use a forge in any way. He says tliey purchase tlieir iron arrow- 

 lieads and knives from tlieir neighhoiirs, the iigrirultural forest Negmes. 



