Chap. II. LOCUSTS, FROGS ETC., USED AS FOOD. 31 



right of chieftainship the breast of every animal slaughtered (4) 

 either at home or abroad, and ho obligingly sent us a liberal 

 share during the whule period of our sojourn. But these 

 supplies were so irregular, that we were sometimes fain to 

 accept a dish of locusts. They have a strong vegetable taste, 

 which varies with the plants on which they feed. There is 

 a physiological reason why locusts and honey should be eaten 

 together : the laxative properties of the last correct the astrin- 

 gent qualities of the first. Locusts are often roasted and 

 pounded into meal, when they will keep for months. Boiled 

 they are disagreeable ; but when roasted I much prefer them to 

 shrimps, though I would avoid both if possible. The scarcity 

 of meat was felt more especially by my children; and the 

 natives, to show their sympathy, often gave them a large kind 

 of caterpillar, which they seemed to relish. These insects 

 could not be unwholesome, for the natives devoured them in 

 large quantities themselves. 



Another dainty of which our children partook with eagerness 

 was the enormous frog called " Matlametlo."* 'When cooked 

 it looks like a chicken. These creatures are supposed by the 

 natives to fall down from thunder-clouds, because, after heavy 

 storms, the pools, being filled with water which is retained a few 

 days, become instantly alive with this loud-croaking game. As 

 they rush forth into the hollows into which the rain is falling, 

 and the Bechuanas are cowering under their skin garments, the 

 sudden chorus struck up from all sides seems to indicate a 

 descent from the heavens. The phenomenon takes place in 

 the driest parts of the desert, where to an ordinary observer 

 there is not a sign of life. I afterwards learned from the 

 Bushmen that the matlametlo makes a hole at the root oi 

 certain bushes, and there ensconces himself during the 

 months of drought. As he seldom emerges, a large variety of 

 spider takes advantage of the hole, and makes its web across 

 the orifice. No one but a Bushman would think of searching 

 beneath a spider's web for a frog. 



It is remarkable that more attempts have not been made to 

 domesticate some of the African animals in England. The 



* The Pyocephalus adspersus of Dr. Smith. Length of head and btdy, 5J 

 inches; fore legs, 3 inches; hind legs, 6 inches. Width of head po?fcri)rly, S 

 inches ; of body, 4£ inches. 



