INSECT UFE. 569 



to eat their half, and they divided it with us in a friendly 

 way. My men were delighted with the feast, though,, 

 by lying unopened a whole day, the carcase was pretty/ 

 far gone. An astonishing number of hyaenas collected 

 round, and kept up a loud laughter for two whole nights:. 

 Some of them do make a very good imitation of a laugh. 

 I asked my men what the hyaenas were laughing at ; as; 

 they usually give animals credit for a share of intelligence ^ 

 they said, that they were laughing because we could not: 

 take the whole, and that they would have plenty to eat: 

 as well as we. 



On coming to the part where the elephant was slain,, 

 we passed through grass so tall that it reminded me of; 

 that in the valley of Cassange. Insects are very numerous; 

 after the rains commence. While waiting by the elephant,, 

 I observed a great number of insects, like grains of fine- 

 sand, moving on my boxes. On examination with a glass*, 

 four species were apparent ; one of green and gold preening; 

 its wings, which glanced in the sun with metallic lustre,* 

 another clear as crystal, a third of the colour of vermilion,, 

 and a fourth black. These are probably some of those 

 which consume the seeds of every plant that grows~ 

 Almost every kind, has its own peculiar insect, and when: 

 the rains are over, very few seeds remain untouched. The 

 rankest poisons, as the Kongwhane and Kuphorbia are 

 soon devoured — the former has a scarlet insect ; and. 

 even the fiery bird's-eye pepper, which will keep off many- 

 others from their own seeds, is itself devoured by a maggot.. 

 I observed here, what I had often seen before, that certain, 

 districts abound in centipedes. Here they have light 

 reddish bodies and blue legs ; great myriapedes are seem 

 crawling everywhere. Although they do no harm, they 

 excite in man a f eeling of loathing. Perhaps our appear- 

 ance produces a similar feeling in the elephant and other 

 large animals. Where they have been much disturbed,, 

 they certainly look upon us with great distrust, as the^ 

 horrid biped that nuns their peace. In the quietest parts; 

 of the forest there is heard a faint but distinct hum, which* 

 tells of insect joy. One may see many whisking about: 

 in the clear sunshine in patches among the green glancing; 

 leaves ; but there are invisible myriads working with, 

 never-tiring mandibles on leaves, and stalks, and beneaths. 

 the soil. They are all brimful of enjoyment. Indeed 

 the universality of organic life may be called a mantle 



