Our. VUL GREAT HEAT. 113 



approach within thirty yards of the animal before firing, 

 while the others stood at the safe distance of a hundred yards, 

 or even more, and spent all the force of their bullets on the 

 air. Mr. Oswell found an elephant with a crowd of bullets in 

 his side, not one of which had gone near the vital parts. It 

 would thus appear that our more barbarous neighbours do not 

 possess half the courage of the civilized sportsman. In this 

 respect, as well as in physical development, it is probable 

 that we are superior to our ancestors. The coats of mail and 

 greaves of the Knights of Malta, and the armour from the 

 Tower exhibited at the Eglinton tournament, is decisive to 

 show the greater size we have attained in modem times. 



1st March. The thermometer in the shade generally stood 

 at 98° from 1 to 3 p.m., but as it sank as low as 65° by night 

 the heat was by no means exhausting. At the surface of the 

 ground, in the sun, the thermometer marked 125°. The 

 hand cannot be held on the earth, and even the horny feet of 

 the natives must be protected by sandals of hide. The ants, 

 nevertheless, were busy working on the fiery soil. The 

 water in the ponds was as high as 100° ; but as it does not 

 readily conduct heat downwards, drink deliciously cool might 

 be obtained by walking into the middle and lifting up the 

 water from the bottom. 



Proceeding to the north, from Kama-kama, we entered into 

 dense mohonono-bush, which required the constant application 

 of the axe by three of our party for two days before we 

 emerged into the plains beyond. This bush has fine silvery 

 leaves, and the bark has a sweet taste. The elephant, with 

 his usual delicacy of taste, feeds much on it. 



The rains had been copious, but the water in the ponds was 

 rapidly disappearing. The lotus abounded in them, and a low 

 sweet-scented plant covered their banks. Breezes came occa- 

 sionally to us from the drying-up pools; but the pleasant odour 

 they carried caused sneezing both to myself and my people ; 

 and on the 10th of March (when in lat. 19° 16' 11" S., long. 

 24° 24' E.) we were brought to a stand by four of the part} 

 being seized with African fever. I at first imagined it was 

 only a bilious attack, arising from full feeding on flesh, for 

 the large game had been abundant. Every man was in a few 

 days laid low, except a Bakwain lad and inyself. He managed 



