AFRICA, 199 
ceflary materials for conftruding a new apart^ 
ment, or repairing their old one. Each couple 
had its feparate neft in the common habitation. 
It was a true republic. We knov^ feverai fpe- 
cies of infeds that Uve thus in one dwelling, 
and have fecial manners. There are focieties 
of this kind even among certain quadrupeds ; 
but hitherto I was unacquainted with any 
among birds. However, I have had feveral 
opportunities of ftudying thefe repubhcs, and 
I {hsll eh^ewhere fpeak of them more fully. 
From the hill of the great neft we went to 
encamp and fpend the night, five leagues farther 
on, at Zebra- Fountain. Tlie word fountain 
told me I fliould find water there ; but it was 
fo brackifli, that none of us could drink it, and 
in fuch fmall quantity as not to fuffice for my 
oxen. 
The day following was ftill more laborious; 
for the fand, growing more fine, became lefs 
ftable. Fourteen oxen were harneffed to each 
waggon, and they were relieved every hour ; 
yet the wheels funk fo deep into the fand, the 
heat vs^as fo intenfe, and the beafts were fo 
weakened by fatigue and the want of food and 
water, that they advanced very flovvdy, I my- 
O A felf, 
