398 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



more commonly known as the rinderpest, which came down the east 

 side of Tanganyika, and swept over this country in 1893, game, 

 especially the Buffalo, Eland, and Lechwe, is scarce in some districts. 

 To judge from the melancholy sight of bleaching bones still evident in 

 the sandy portions of the Mweru district, where grass grows very 

 sparsely, game must formerly have been both abundant and of great 

 variety. Nevertheless, the country is gradually recovering itself, and 

 most districts are now very rich in game of all kinds. A few small 

 herds of Buffalo are still to be met with in the country near Lake 

 Mweru. Eoan Antelope, Eland, Hartebeeste (Lichenstein's), and 

 Zebra are plentiful all over the country, especially about the south of 

 the Tanganyika Plateau. Immense herds of Mpala are met with on 

 the east and west of the Luapula Kiver. Pookoo and Lechwe are 

 numerous in the Mweru district, and a few small herds of Pookoo have 

 been seen in the Loangwa Valley. Sable Antelope are not frequently 

 met with, but have been seen in the Mweru district. Around the 

 north of Mweru Lake, and especially on Kilwa Island, Sititunga 

 are numerous, and some very fine specimens have been obtained by 

 hunters. Sassaby (Tsessebe) have been seen west of Lake Bangweolo, 

 but there is no evidence of their being found in any other district. 

 Many smaller species of Buck are well represented. The Wart-hog 

 and Bush-pig are common in any part of the country. The natives, 

 in their language, compare them to a plague similar to Locusts, owing 

 to the havoc these animals do in their gardens. 



Carnivura. — Amongst the Carnivora, Lions are to be found in 

 most districts, but, owing to the vast quantities of game, rarely visit 

 settlements. Leopards are also plentiful, and frequent mostly hilly 

 country, but are rarely seen. The Chita (Cheetah), though rare, is 

 found sometimes ; two specimens have been obtained in the Tangan- 

 yika Plateau lately. The Hyena, both striped and spotted species, are 

 found here ; also Jackals of various kinds. Civet and Serval Cats 

 abound in the thickets, and are often trapped by the natives, wlio make 

 bags and pouches out of their skins. It is stated that the Serval Cat 

 can be easily tamed, and becomes quite domesticated. On the banks 

 of the rivers and lakes two kinds of Mongoose are found, which render 

 a veritable service to mankind by their active destruction of Crocodile 

 eggs, for which they have the greatest fondness. 



Quadrumana. — In bushy country the Quadrumana excel all other 

 animals in number and variety. The Chimpanzee inhabits the virgin 

 forests of the Maluugi country, the Black Ape is found west of Chi- 

 walis, and Grey Monkeys are common everywhere. 



