with the Fan Cannibals. 207 
armlets of plaited palm fibre, and tightened by 
little cross-bars of brass ; they are the “ Hibas” 
which the Bedawin wear under their lower articu¬ 
lations as preservatives against cramp. Lastly, a 
Fetish horn hangs from the breast, and heavy cop¬ 
per rings encumber the wrists and ankles. Though 
unskilful in managing canoes—an art to be learned, 
like riding and dancing, only in childhood—many 
villagers affect to walk about with a paddle, like 
the semi-aquatic Kru-men* Up country it is said 
they make rafts which are towed across the stream 
by ropes, when the swiftness of the current de¬ 
mands a ferry. The women are still afraid of the 
canoe. 
All adult males carry arms, and would be held 
womanish if they were seen unweaponed. These 
are generally battle-axes, spears cruelly and fan¬ 
tastically jagged, hooked and barbed, and curious 
leaf-shaped knives of archaic aspect; some of the 
latter have blades broader than they are long, a 
shape also preserved by the Mpongwe. The 
sheaths of fibre or leather are elaborately deco¬ 
rated, and it is chic for the scabbard to fit so 
tight that the weapon cannot be drawn for five 
minutes; I have seen the same amongst the 
Somal. There are some trade-muskets, but the 
“ hot-mouthed weapon ” has not become the 
national weapon of the Fa/2. Bows and arrows 
are unknown ; the Nayin or cross-bow peculiar to 
