LAND CRABS. 
305 
Tlieir habitations are indeed the rudest of the rude, 
being nothing more than a coarse mat of palm-leaves 
tlirown over four uprights, and open to all the winds 
of heaven. A little block of wood for a pillow, an 
earthen pot to boil yams, and a rude wooden pipe for 
smoking, were the only articles of comfort or luxury, 
any of them seemed to possess. Yet they looked hap- 
py and healthy, and profiered us a portion of their 
simple fare, as also eggs, which are never eaten by them, 
on account of some religious prejudice. The yams are 
abundant, and probably the finest in Africa, forming the 
chief article of food to the unsophisticated Edeeyah. 
Occasionally they have as a “ bonne bouche,” a stew 
of bush-rat, porcupine, snake, or venison. Fish is 
also plentiful at certain seasons, particularly a species 
of Ckipea, about the size of an English sprat, and 
having very much its flavour. During some months, 
the land-crab is a favourite luxury, and the capture of 
them alfords employment late in the evening, at which 
time they venture out from their habitations in the 
sand. Towards dusk there were numerous lights 
moving about on the beach, where the “ Bubis” were 
actively engaged catching their prey for supper. With 
the exception of such spirituous liquors as the natives 
receive in exchange for their oil ; topi, or palm-wine, 
is the common beverage. This exudes from the palm- 
tree on incision ; is of a pleasant slightly acid flavour : 
very wholesome in the morning when first drawn, but 
more or less intoxicating towards evening, according 
to its state of fermentation. A tumblerful of it was 
VOL. II. 
X 
