90 DEPARTURE FROM BAKWAIN COUNTRY. Chap. VII. 



atmosphere never had that steamy feeling and those debi- 

 litating effects which prevail in India and on the coast of 

 Africa itself. Nothing can exceed the balminess of the 

 evenings and mornings throughout the year. You wish for 

 an increase neither of cold nor heat. 



CHArTER VII. 



Diseases of animals. — The lion. — Serpents. — Native customs. 

 Bamangwato Hills. — The ostrich. 



Having remained five days with the wretched Bakwains, we 

 prepared to depart on the 15th January, 1853. Several dogs 

 had taken up their residence at the water. No one would 

 own them ; it was plain they had 



" Held o'er the dead their carnival " 



after the slaughter committed b} r the Boers, and hence the 

 disgust with which they were viewed. 



On our way from Khopong, along the ancient river-bed 

 which forms the pathway to Boatlanama, I found a species of 

 cactus. I had seen only two before in the country, — one in the 

 colony with a bright red flower, and another at Lake Ngami, 

 the flower of which was liver-coloured. The present specimen 

 was not in bloom. 



On the 21st January we reached the wells of Boatlanama, 

 and found them for the first time empty. Lopepe, where I 

 had* formerly seen a stream running from a large reedy pool. 

 was also dry. We pushed on for the delicious waters of 

 Mashiie. In travelling through this region the olfactory 

 nerves are frequently excited by a strong disagreable odour, 

 which is caused by a large jet-black ant namfvi " Leshonya." 

 It is nearly an inch in length, and emits a pungent smell when 

 alarmed, in the same manner as the skunk. 



Occasionally we lighted upon land tortoises, which, with 

 their unlaid eggs, make a very agreeable dish. It is wonder- 

 ful how tnis reptile holds its place in the country, for it 

 possesses neither speed nor cunning ; even its bony covering. 



