BLACK ANTS. 
109 
gratory band of black ants — Termites. Their path was 
about three inches broad, and very much resembled a 
long black snake, as the tumultuous mass struggled along, 
each insect trying to advance before its fellows. 
How numerous must be a colony like this, which has 
its multitude in every square inch, and yet the line of 
emigration sometimes extends for miles. Whatever lies 
in their path that can serve as food, is quickly devoured 
by such hosts of hungry travellers. Snakes often be- 
come their prey, when, after repletion, they are met in a 
state of torpor ; and it is said that cases have occurred 
where infirm and sickly persons, unahle to move out 
of their way, have been literally eaten up alive by them. 
It seems hardly credible, and yet we can easily believe 
on looking at the black mass as it pours onwards, that 
nothing edihlc would long resist them. 
The day was fine, and we returned to the vessel much 
pleased with what we had seen, and above all with the 
good and generous missionary whose acquaintance we 
were so fortunate as to have made. 
The rocks, hornblende-slate or mica-slate, protrude 
through the soil, which is very bad on this part of the 
coast; a stiff iron-clay, having its origin, according 
to Roscher, in the debris of granite veins piercing through 
the rock ; though in all prohahility the rock itself has 
a great deal to do with the formation. 
Farther up the river the soil is said to he good. 
The river to the north of the Cape, by the state- 
ment of the Governor, is navigable for canoes to the 
