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THE DESICCATION OF AFRICA 
His Excellency fished each day with the spoon only, but on 
the 26th and 27th J. used spoon and natural bait alternately. 
On the 27th His Excellency killed seven King-fish weighing 
20, 20, 18, 14, 18, 11, and 10 lb., also one small Barracuda of 
6 lb. — total weight 112 lb. 
J. secured five King-fish of 18, 18, 18, 14, and 14 lb. 
respectively — total 82 lb. 
H. F. W. landed one King-fish of 9 lb. 
Total for three hours’ fishing on the 27th, 203 lb. 
Thus during two afternoons and one morning the party 
killed thirty-five fish weighing altogether 515 lb., average 
weight 15 lb. The only regret expressed was that fishing 
ground had to be left so soon. 
THE DESICCATION OF AFRICA 
By R. L. Harger 
This question is one that has formed the subject of many 
notes made during wanderings in Africa, extending over a 
number of years. 
My interest in it was revived by the article by Mr. C. W. 
Hobley, which appeared in No. 9 of the Society’s Journal. 
I will first quote a few extracts bearing on the subject from 
the works of some of the older travellers, and will then venture 
to add some notes of my own observations. 
The work called ‘ The Native Races of South Africa,’ by 
George W. Stow, which deals with travels in South Africa from 
about 1843 onwards, contains some facts of interest. 
(a) ‘ It is authoritatively stated that since the early days 
of the Korana occupation (end of fourteenth or beginning of 
fifteenth century) of the portion of the country we are now 
speaking of (South O.F.S. and N. Cape Colony) a great altera- 
tion has taken place in its water supply. Then the Kuruni is 
declared to have been a great river, which sometimes rose and 
continued high so long that women who happened to be on 
