210 
PALM-WINE GATHERERS. 
store ; but in a short time they all suddenly and 
quietly separated, moying off to a place where some 
work was to be executed by them. 
It seems, that they never commence any undertak- 
ing either of pleasure or business, without invoking 
their Mohs or idols, and the ceremony we witnessed, 
was for that purpose. 
The palm-nut and topi-gatherers are a separate 
class, who live almost entirely by this avocation ; the 
products of which are exchanged for necessary articles 
of food, game, or fish. They ascend the trees by 
passing a hoop round, in which they insert the body, 
and leaning back in it, they draw up the feet one 
after the other, until about fourteen inches or more is 
gained; the rough bark of the palm prevents their 
slipping, and the hoop is jerked a little higher, and so 
on until the top is reached ; they become so expert by 
practice, that they mount up with great rapidity. Most 
of them suffer from excoriations and idcers about the 
legs, by rubbing against the rough palm-bark ; and 
sometimes they meet with very disagreeable occupants 
at the summit, in the shape of snakes, who there 
betake themselves for the insects and smaller birds 
which frequent the feathery branches. 
The Buyeh-r tipis also officiate as medical advisers. 
They use several plants, chiefly as external applica- 
tions. A favourite remedy is anointing the body all 
over with palm-oil and clay, and making the patient 
sit near a fire. They apply the leaves of a small 
