3G0 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
meal and nuts (A racids). They are particularly fond of 
the latter. A special partiality is also extended to meat 
of every description, which they cook in the crudest 
manner. They are not at all particular as to the time 
when it was killed, provided it has not wholly assumed 
another form of animal life. 
Their cattle are very diminutive, but peculiarly hardy. 
Some have even been trained and used by hunters in 
their waggon work, and have been found to be very 
tough creatures, not so liable to get footsore as larger 
cattle, such as the Boer trek oxen. Towards nightfall 
the timid people herd their cattle and goats into the 
town, the nimble-footed beasts scrambling up the narrow 
rocky paths with the utmost ease and confidence. Before 
the sun has set the gateway is barricaded with immense 
trunks of trees. 
Respecting these people, the impression left upon my 
mind is that they are a declining race, exemplifying 
strongly the Darwinian doctrine of the survival of the 
fittest. The stronger blood of the tribes of Zulu origin 
they cannot resist ; consequently their adversaries have 
been encroaching upon their lands and liberties for many, 
many years, and in all probability will continue their 
depredations unchecked until the memory of the 
oppressed Mashona is but a thing of the traditional 
past. 
Further on Mr. Kerr comes into the country of the 
Makorikori people and thus describes some of the in¬ 
cidents of travel in their country. 
A silent and lovely evening followed one of the hot¬ 
test days which had been experienced during our long 
journey. Now the party was somewhat weary, for the 
march had been long and tedious. The many miles we 
had covered had carried us through tracts of marshy 
country, the deep black soil being intersected by 
numerous muddy rivulets. We had crossed the Ruia 
river, beside the headwaters of which we had encamped 
during the eventful journey to Chuzu’s. 
We were now holding upon a more easterly course. 
Chuzu’s inhospitable country would, therefore, be left 
