THE NDHLONDHLO. 187 



spring from the after-part of the occiput. Mr. Colenso gave 

 me information which fully corroborated the experience of his 

 brother. 



It is to be noted that the snake was not irritated, but was 

 calmly pursuing its way. The inference, therefore, is clear, viz. 

 that the crest was not a mere elevation of neck-scales in a 

 moment of anger, but that it was a true crest. 



I fear that, as no specimen of the Ndhlondhlo has ever been 

 seen in a jar of spirits, and probably will never be so seen, it will 

 be difficult to convince the majority of people that it ever existed. 

 Still, the general evidence may convince some that the belief of 

 a nation was founded on observed facts, and that the deadly 

 king of snakes once was, although it may have now ceased 

 to be. 



