EXPEDIENTS FOR TAKING GAME. 



297 



which are haunted by the hunters, and, according to 

 the Arabs, they fear migrating to new seats where they 

 would be attacked by the herds in possession. In many 

 parts the huntsmen suspend by a cord from the trees 

 sharpened blocks of wood, which, loosened by the 

 animal's foot, fall and cause a mortal wound. This 

 "suspended spear," sprung by a latch, has been described 

 by a host of South African travellers. It has been 

 sketched by Lieut. Boteler (" Narrative of a Voyage of 

 Discovery to Africa and Arabia/' chap, iv.) ; and Major 

 Monteiro ("0 Muata Cazembe," chap, v.); and de- 

 scribed by Mr. Galton, Mr. Gordon Cumming, and Dr. 

 Livingstone (chap, xxviii.). Throughout Ugogo and 

 upon the maritime regions large game is caught in pit- 

 falls, here called mtego, and in India ogi : in some 

 places travellers run the risk of falling into these traps. 

 The mtego is an oblong excavation like a great grave, 

 but decreasing in breadth below the surface of the 

 ground and it is always found single, not in pairs as 

 in South Africa. The site generally chosen is near 

 water, and the hole is carefully masked with thin 

 layers of small sticks and leaves. The Indian " sur- 

 rounds " and the hopo or V-shaped trap of the Bakwens 

 are here unknown. The distribution of treasure-trove 

 would seem to argue ancient partitions and lordships, 

 and, in dividing the spoils of wild or tame animals, 

 the chief claims, according to ancient right, the breast. 

 This custom apparently borrowed by the Hebrews from 

 Africa (Leviticus, chap. vii. 30, 31), is alluded to by 

 almost all South- African travellers. 



The elephant roams in herds throughout the country, 

 affecting the low grounds where stagnating water pro- 

 duces a plentiful vegetation: with every human being 

 its foe, and thousands living by its destruction, the 



