144 
THE DESICCATION OF AFRICA 
to, and in this ancient bed it bears enough water to admit 
of permanent wells in several parts of it. The ancient Mokoko 
must have been joined by other rivers below this, for it becomes 
very broad and spreads out into a large lake, of which the 
lake we were now in search of formed but a very small part. 
We observed that, wherever an ant-eater had made holes, 
shells were thrown out with the earth identical with those 
now alive in the lake. The water supply of this part of the 
river system, as will be more fully explained later on, takes 
place in channels prepared for a much more copious flow. It 
resembles a deserted Eastern garden, where all the embank- 
ments and canals for irrigation can be traced, but where, the 
main dam and sluices having been allowed to get out of repair, 
only a small portion can be laid under water. In the case 
of the Zouga the channel is perfect, but water enough to fill 
the whole channel never comes down. It (Ngami) is shallow. 
It is with difficulty cattle can approach the water through 
the boggy reedy banks. These are low on all sides, but on 
the West there is a space devoid of trees showing that the 
waters have retired thence at no very ancient date. This 
is another of the proofs of desiccation met with so abundantly 
throughout the country.’ 
Livingstone, in his mention of the journey of Dr. Cowan 
and Capt. Donovan through Bechuanaland in 1808, says : 
4 The Bakwains were then rich in cattle,’ and it is one of the 
many evidences of the subsequent desiccation of the country 
that streams are pointed out where thousands and thousands 
of cattle formerly drank, and in which now no water flows. 
(1845-1849.) 
During his residence at Kolobeng from 1845 to 1849, Living- 
stone reported : 4 In our second year again scarce any rain 
fell. The third was marked by the same extraordinary drought, 
and during those two years the whole downfall did not amount 
to ten inches. The Kolobeng ran dry, and so many fish 
died that the hysenas from the country round collected to the 
feast, and were unable to clear away the putrid mass. A large 
old alligator (crocodile) was left high and dry in the mud 
among the victims. The fourth year was equally unpropitious, 
the rain being insufficient to bring the grain to maturity.’ 
