WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 593 



pendence of these poor creatures on their charms, which possessing 

 no power to help, are furnished by their credulity, with dread- 

 ful power to disappoint them. It is so everywhere in some 

 degree : men by their confidence create destroyers of agencies 

 most impotent — for that is a destroyer which disappoints us 

 .in the hour of trial. Dr. Livingstone found a large beetle 

 hanging before an idol in a house of a deserted and burned vil- 

 lage. The guardian remained amidst the ruins which it could 

 not prevent, like a mocker of man's foolish faith. 



Among the unfamiliar customs of these isolated people, there 

 was one rite which seemed to link them with other lands and 

 ages. Circumcision was found to be commonly observed. It 

 is performed on the young, and unlike other African tribes who 

 have it, the Manyuema speak of it openly, and attend it with 

 great formalities and feasting. Was there a time far in the 

 past, when these people, so benighted now, held intercourse with 

 the chosen race ? Is this singular rite a single hint of privileges 

 enjoyed long, long ago? Is it the last trace of a knowledge for- 

 feited by some enormity of guilt? How is it that this particular 

 rite is observed and honored in the very heart of African 

 heathendom? 



Another familiar sight was afforded the doctor in Bambarre, 

 which he did not need to wonder about a moment — a sight 

 which long ago had been stereotyped before him, by the most 

 pointed lesson : those dreadful " Liliputian monsters," a regi- 

 ment of soldier ants, marched deliberately into his quarters 

 one morning, without warning or invitation, and took up their 

 quarters. The doctor submitted meekly, but another day there 

 came a detachment of Sirufu, known as driver ants, and laid 

 siege to the party so snugly housed. A pitched battle ensued, 

 which left the drivers in possession ; just like it is among men — 

 nation succeeds nation. But these domineering little rascals 

 are often paid for their barbarities : there is always an eater for 

 an eater; the white ants are a delicacy much in esteem among 

 the people, who watch their time and build shelters over the 

 huge abodes of their game, just when they are about sending 

 forth their winged colonies. The unsuspecting colony, bidding 

 farewell to the home of their youth, spread their wings, and 

 mounting suddenly in the air, strike against the roof and turn- 



