218 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA, 
the kraal scoured the forest for fruit_, which they presented on the 
point of a lance to my wife. There was the fruit of the neback_, 
not unlike a cherry. The nehack is a thorny hush_, and grows in a 
range extending to 16° and 17° north latitude. It flourishes even 
in a region of almost perpetual sand_, and where the rainy season is 
hut for a period of three months. The fruit, pressed into small 
cakes, is then baked on iron plates, and in this form, in Mahom- 
medan districts, is conveyed to Cairo, where it is much esteemed. 
Bunches of grapes were brought, exceedingly small, hut delicious 
in flavour. A fruit new to me we tasted, called here kurshaka. 
Unlike the generality of wild fruit, this had more pulp than stone ; 
it was extremely satisfying. There were flne tamarind trees in the 
woods, laden with fruit not yet ripe. Many plants in bloom, 
prominent the cotton, with its lovely blossoms ; this was in a wild 
state, and seemed to thrive well. At 12.30 p.m. we entered the 
village of J am J am, and alighted at the neatly palisaded enclosure 
of the chief Bold, who with his mother and wife welcomed us. 
