188 AN ANT-EATER. 



guide its tail to the ants. It is probably a new species of ant- 

 lion {Myrmeleon formicated), great numbers of which, both in 

 the larvaj and complete state, are met with. The ground under 

 every tree is dotted over with their ingenious pitfalls, and the 

 perfect insect, the form of which most persons are familiar with 

 in the dragon-fly, may be seen using its tail in the same active 

 manner as this insect did. Two may be often seen joined in 

 their flight, the one holding on by the tail-forceps to the neck of 

 the other. On first observing this imperfect insect, I imagined 

 the forceps were on its head; but when the insect moved, their 

 true position was seen. 



The forest, through which we were slowly toiling, daily became 

 more dense, and we were kept almost constantly at work with the 

 axe ; there was much more leafiness in the trees here than farther 

 south. The leaves are chiefly of the pinnate and bi-pinnate forms, 

 and are exceedingly beautiful when seen against the sky ; a great 

 variety of the papilionaceous family grow in this part of the country. 



Fleming had until this time always assisted to drive his own 

 wagon, but about the end of March he knocked up, as well as 

 his people. As I could not drive two wagons, I shared with him 

 the remaining water, half a caskful, and went on, with the inten- 

 tion of coming back for him as soon as we should reach the next 

 pool. Heavy rain now commenced ; I was employed the whole 

 day in cutting down trees, and every stroke of the axe brought 

 down a thick shower on my back, which in the hard work was 

 very refreshing, as the water found its way down into my shoes. 

 In the evening we met some Bushmen, who volunteered to show 

 us a pool ; and having unyoked, I walked some miles in search of 

 it. As it became dark they showed their politeness — a quality 

 which is by no means confined entirely to the civilized — by walk- 

 ing in front, breaking the branches which hung across the path, 

 and pointing out the fallen trees. On returning to the wagon, 

 we found that being left alone had brought out some of Fleming's 

 energy, for he had managed to come up. 



As the water in this pond dried up, we were soon obliged to 

 move again. One of the Bushmen took out his dice, and, after 

 throwing them, said that God told him to go home. He threw 

 again in order to show me the command, but the opposite result 

 followed ; so he remained and was useful, for we lost the oxen 



