Chap. XYI. 
BEEHIYES—MUSHEOOMS. 
285 
inclies in diameter. Two incisions are made right round the 
tree at points five feet apart, then one longitudinal slit from one 
of these to the other; the workman next lifts up the bark on 
each side of this slit, and detaches it from the trunk, taking 
care not to break it, until the .whole comes from the tree. The 
elasticity of the bark makes it assume the form it had before; 
the slit is sewed or pegged up with wooden pins, and ends made 
of coiled grass-rope are inserted, one of which has a hole for the 
ingress of the bees in the centre, and the hive is complete. 
These hives are placed in a horizontal position on high trees in 
different parts of the forest, and in this way all the wax exported 
from Benguela and Loanda is collected. It is all the produce 
of free labour. A ‘‘ piece of medicine ” is tied round the trunk 
of the tree, and proves sufficient protection against thieves. 
The natives seldom rob each other, for all believe that certain 
medicines can inflict disease and death; and though they con¬ 
sider that these are only known to a few, they act on the 
principle that it is best to let them all alone. The gloom 
of these forests strengthens the superstitious feelings of the 
people. In other quarters, where they are not subjected to 
this influence, I have heard the chiefs issue proclamations to 
the effect, that real witchcraft medicines had been placed at 
certain gardens from which produce had been stolen; the thieves 
having risked the power of the ordinary charms previously placed 
there. 
This being the rainy season, great quantities of mushrooms 
were met with, and were eagerly devoured by my companions; 
the edible variety is always found growing out of ant-hills, and 
attains the diameter of the crown of a hat; they are quite 
wliite, and very good, even when eaten raw; they occupy an 
extensive region of the interior; some, not edible, are of a 
brilliant red, and others are of the same light blue as the paper 
used by apothecaries to put up their medicines. 
There was considerable pleasure, in spite of rain and fever, in 
this new scenery. The deep gloom contrasted strongly with the 
shadeless glare of the Kalahari, which had left an indelible 
impression on my memory. Though drenched day by day at 
this time, and for months afterwards, it was long before I could 
believe that we were getting too much of a good thing. Nor 
