MODE OF ELEPHANT HUNTING. 157 



hunters having observed the path by which certain elephants or a herd go to 

 water, select the highest overhanging trees as best adapted for their purpose. 

 They are armed with spears having very long handles, made of very light 

 wood, and blades about two feet long, furnished with a barb on the shaft. As 

 the animals generally drink during the night, the men perch themselves on 

 branches hanging nearly over the path, and, when the elephant comes unsus- 

 pectingly along, plunge their spears into his body. The wounded animal 

 rushes madly away, and, as the spear is held in by the barb, the motion of 

 the body causes the long handle to swing in different directions. Contact 

 with trees produces the same effect; and, as the motions of the blade are 

 uniform with those of the handle, the numerous internal gashes soon bring 

 this strong animal to the ground. Another method is by means of a log of 

 wood, having a poisoned spear-head inserted. It is suspended on a branch 

 above the elephant's path by means of a cord, which again is secured to a 

 small wooden catch on the ground. When the catch is touched by the foot of 

 the elephant in passing along, the beam falls on his back, and the barbed 

 spear-head remains. In this case the trust of the hunter lies in the 

 poison. Still another method is that of deep, wedge-shaped pitfalls, carefully 

 covered over and plastered, so as to have the same appearance as the rest of 

 the path. Many females and young animals are destroyed by this last 

 means ; but it is evident that with better arms and the prospect of a speedy 

 and profitable sale of the ivory, much more produce would appear. The 

 present means are often rendered futile by one elephant helping another out 

 of a pitfall, or by the sagacious beast snuffing danger in the wind, and 

 abruptly leaving the country. Even when successful, it can only be with one 

 animal, for the others at once forsake the district if one of their number 

 falls a victim. 



" The inhabitants of the Balonda country, belong to the true woolly-headed 

 negro race, and differ remarkably from the Bechuanas and other tribes in the 

 south in their treatment of females and in the practice of idolatry. They swear 

 by their mothers, and never desert them ; they allow the women a place 

 and voice in their public assemblies, and frequently elevate them to the chief- 

 tainship. 



" The Bechuanas, on the contrary, swear by their fathers, glory in the 

 little bit of beard which distinguishes them from the sex which they despise, 

 and, though they have some idea of a future state, it exerts but little influence 

 on their conduct. Their supreme God is a cow, and they never pray." 



After giving details of his intercourse with Shinte, which we have already 

 quoted, Dr. Livingstone goes on to explain the river system of the country. 

 He struck the Leeba after leaving Shinte's town: — "It had," he says, 

 " assumed the same easterly and westerly course as the Leeambye. After 

 crossing it we were obliged to go almost due North, in consequence of the 



