OUR MEN ARE TAKEN FOR WOMEN 



127 



would appear, however, that we were in error, for science at 

 present recognises but two kinds of African rhinoceroses ^ — 

 the Rhin. simus and the Rhin. hicornis. The former has a 

 very wide mouth, occurs in South Africa only, and is already 

 very rare. The latter has a long uj)per lip prolonged to a 

 point, and to it belonged all the rhinoceroses we saw or shot 

 before we got to Mount Nyiro. It must not be supposed that 

 the third variety, which we met with in the neighbourhood of 

 Lake Eudolf only, was a new discovery of ours ; still less that 

 the rhinoceroses seen by various travellers in the eastern Soudan 

 and Somaliland belonged to it ; but we do still think that the 

 one we saw near Lake Rudolf differed alike from the Rhin. 

 simiLS and the Rliin. hicornis. 



Tuesday, March 20. — In spite of its unfavourable conditions 

 we remained a little longer where we were, as we at least 

 got some shade. Towards morning five canoes, in which 

 were a few Elmolo fishing, appeared about a mile or a mile 

 and a half off on the lake. Sokoni and some of our men 

 hastened down to them at once, but they could not be induced 

 to approach nearer. They even refused to accept the presents 

 we offered them, saying that they must go home first and con- 

 sult their people. Before they went, however, they inquired 

 whether all the members of our caravan were women, as they 

 wore loin-cloths to cover their nakedness. In the afternoon 

 several canoes appeared, and were stopped opposite the beach 

 near our camp. Each was manned by three natives, two of 

 whom punted, standing up with two long poles. They brought 

 us fish ; one very large one, a kind of crucian, with brownish- 

 black scales, which tasted very good, was, they told us, 

 speared in the shallow water near the shore. This time our 

 beads were accepted. The natives told us that they had 

 dhurra and a few sheep to sell, but we must come and camp 



- If we set aside the doubtful South African species. 



