Chap. XYI. BEEHIVES— MUSHROOMS. 285 



inches in diameter. Two incisions are made right round the 

 tree at points five feet apart, then one longitudinal slit from one 

 of these to the other ; the workman next lifts up the bark on 

 each side of this slit, and detaches it from the trunk, taking 

 care not to break it, until the whole comes from the tree. The 

 elasticity of the bark makes it assume the form it had before ; 

 the slit is sewed or pegged up with wooden pins, and ends made 

 of coiled grass-rope are inserted, one of which has a hole for the 

 ingress of the bees in the centre, and the hive is complete. 

 These hives are placed in a horizontal position on high trees in 

 different parts of the forest, and in this way all the wax exported 

 from Benguela and Loanda is collected. It is all the produce 

 of free labour. A " piece of medicine " is tied round the trunk 

 of the tree, and proves sufficient protection against thieves. 

 The natives seldom rob each other, for all believe that certain 

 medicines can inflict disease and death ; and though they con- 

 sider that these are only known to a few, they act on the 

 principle that it is best to let them all alone. The gloom 

 of these forests strengthens the superstitious feelings of the 

 people. In other quarters, where they are not subjected to 

 this influence, I have heard the chiefs issue proclamations to 

 the effect, that real witchcraft medicines had been placed at 

 certain gardens from which produce had been stolen ; the thieves 

 having risked the power of the ordinary charms previously placed 

 there. 



This being the rainy season, great quantities of mushrooms 

 were met with, and were eagerly devoured by my companions ; 

 the edible variety is always found growing out of ant-liills, and 

 attains the diameter of the crown of a hat; they are quite 

 white, and very good, even when eaten raw ; they occupy an 

 extensive region of the interior ; some, not edible, are of a 

 brilliant red, and others are of the same light blue as the paper 

 used by apothecaries to put up their medicines. 



There was considerable pleasure, in spite of rain and fever, in 

 tins new scenery. The deep gloom contrasted strongly with the 

 shadeless glare of the Kalahari, which had left an indelible 

 impression on my memory. Though drenched day by day at 

 this time, and for months afterwards, it was long before I could 

 believe that we were getting too much of a good thing. Nor 



