296 Wanderings m Eastern Africa. 
In the afternoon the country became less woody^ 
some portions of it presenting a fine meadow-Hke 
appearance, just such tracts as one would choose for 
the pasturing of cattle. Some charming green slopes 
were passed, which reminded me of home. The short 
thick grasses were bedecked with many pretty flowers, 
the more conspicuous of which w^ere abundance of 
what resembled the bright yellow marigold, numerous 
clusters of white convolvuli, quantities of buttercup- 
like blossom ; but the daisy was looked for in vain. 
Many fine trees adorn these meadows, among which 
the pinnate-leaved, rich, umbrageous tamarind was 
conspicuous. Avery singular plant, called by the Gal- 
las ^' obe," and by the Wanika "ganzi," was frequently 
seen. It is a species of cactus ; its stem, when full- 
grown, being a huge bulb of dark-green colour. From 
the centre of the bulb issues a crop of long straggling 
arms, provided throughout their whole length, at 
short distances, with large thorns, that reminded me 
of the spurs of a game-cock, both in shape and size. 
These arms intertwine and interlace each other in in- 
extricable mazes, and grow to such an extent as to 
overhang and completely hide the bulb, forming a 
compact mass, sometimes of more than twenty feet 
high and as many feet thick. I mention it chiefly 
for the sake of the use to which it is applied by the 
Gallas, The bulb consists of a succulent substance, 
of a similar consistence and as white as a turnip, but 
containing far more water than the latter. The 
Gallas clear it of its immense thorny covering, strip oft 
its rind, and turn their cattle to feed upon it for the 
sake of its water, one large plant being sufficient to 
supply a score of cows with all the water they need. 
