Savannah Salt. 
37 
metallic plumage together with the oiauge-coloured waxy .skin of its bill, 
and the ring round the eyes, give the bird a lovely appearance. I found 
this Ibis only in the environs of Tenette, and nowhere else. 
92. To the south-Avest of the settlement, not far removed from it^ 
there stretched a considerable swamp, the water of which at a distance 
was hidden by the thick vegetation, particularly the Mauritia in a most 
flourisliing condition. I found trunks here from 100 to 120 feet high up 
to the spot from where the huge fan-like fronds began to spread. The 
Wild Plantain of the Colonists (Ravenala giiia)icnsis) ran the proud 
palms closely in heiglit: then followed Gannaceae, Ferns, and Zingi- 
hcraccac which were heinmed in at the water side with a flowered border 
of RJnjnrJiaiitJicra grandifJora DeC, MicroUcia hii:<th:is DeC, M. hrcri- 
folia DeC, and (a new species) M. }i<'i<Tophylla Klotzsch. Along the 
swamp edge were ininil)erK of holes wlii< li the Tmliaiis liad excavated with 
the object of allowing the water necessary for their daily requirements 
to filter through. Of course this commodity wa^ not to be regarded with 
critical eye unless one wanted to spoil one's appetite entirely. 
98. On tlie first day of our arrival T liad already made an interest- 
ing find in the little forest on the hill with a specimen of the beautiful 
moth, Noctua (Erebus) Ar/rippina, 10 inches with wings extended, and 
the only specimen I came across on the whole journey. 
94. We were astonished at discovering a salt among the Wapisianas 
which w'e learnt on enquiry was ol»tained in the savannali : it was uncom- 
monly tart. On collecting it the mass is similar to our peat-earth, 
which only subsequently nnder repeated washing, takes on a white 
colour. 
95. The Takutu had hitherto rendered our journey so distressing 
that we would gladly have avoided its help in the transport of our things, 
but under those circumstances a large portion of our baggage would have 
to have been left behind in Tenette, because the village no longer shel- 
tered the number of male inhabitants requisite for their removal. Accord- 
ingly what was not absolutely necessary was left here. 
96. The mean of the thermometrical (Fahr.) observations deter- 
mined during our stay at Tenette w^as : — 
1842 6 a.m. 
9 a.m. 
12 noon 
3 p.m. 
6 p.m. 
o^f?^ M 75.87 
23rd April 
79.83 
87.63 
90.10 
81.33 
The observations were taken in one of the houses open on all sides, 
where the thermometer was protected from reflected solar rays, 
