312 
FEKTILE COUNTKY—OMNIVOEOUS FISH. Chap. XVII. 
saw. It had about forty yards of deep fast-flowing water, but 
probably not more than half that amount in the dry season. 
Besides these, we crossed numerous feeders in our N.N.W. 
course, and, there being no canoes, got frequently wet in the 
course of the day. The oxen in some places had their heads 
only above water, and the stream flowing over their backs wetted 
our blankets, which we used as saddles. The arm-pit was the 
only safe spot for carrying the watch, for there it was preserved 
from rains above and waters below. The men on foot crossed 
these gullies holding up their burdens at arms’ length. 
The Lokalueje winds from north-east to south-west into the 
Leeba. The country adjacent to its banks is extremely fine and 
fertile, with here and there patches of forest or clumps of mag¬ 
nificent trees. The villagers through whose gardens we passed, 
continue to sow and reap all the year round. The grains, as 
maize, lotsa {Pennisetum typJioideum)^ lokesh or millet, are to 
be seen at all stages of their growth—some just ripe, while at 
this time the Makololo crops are not half grown. My com¬ 
panions, who have a good idea of the different qualities of soils, 
expressed the greatest admiration of the agricultural capabilities 
of the whole of Londa, and here they were loud in their praises 
of the pasturage. They have an accurate idea of the varieties 
of grasses best adapted for different kinds of stock, and lament 
because here there are no cows to feed off the rich green crop, 
which at this time imparts special beauty to the landscape. 
Great numbers of the omnivorous feeding fish, Grlanis dluris, 
or mosala, spread themselves over the flooded plains, and, as the 
waters retire, try to find their way back again to the rivers. 
The Balonda make earthen dykes and hedges across the outlets 
of the retreating waters, leaving only small spaces through 
which the chief part of the water flows. In these open spaces 
they plant creels, similar in shape to our own, into which the 
fish can enter, but cannot return. They secure large quantities 
of fish in this way, which, when smoke-dried, make a good relish 
for their otherwise insipid food. They use also a weir of mats 
made of reeds sewed together, with but half an inch between 
each. Open spaces are left for the insertion of the creels as 
before. 
In still water, a fish-trap is employed of the same shape and 
