New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-22


bring their ill-timed merriment to close. Scor-
pions centipedes, and poisonous spiders also were
not unfrequently brought into the ship with the
wood, and found their way into the beds. Ii said
that when they remain few weeks On board, their
poison loses its yirulence. Snakes often foated
down the riyer, and climbed on board BY the chain
cable. Some poisonous ones were caught in the
cabin. Troops of cockroaches infested the vessel
not only eating round the roots Of the nails. but
even dcvouring the food, flannes, and boots. The
soil OF Africa teens with white and black ants.
They are caught in countless numbers by the
natives and their roasted bodies resembling grains
Of soft rice fried in delicious fresh oil form
a favortc dish. The ants appear 10 possess gift
not unlike that Of language If part of their houses
is destroyed an official is sent to examine the dam
age and after careful survey Of the ruins he chiv
rups few clear and distinct notes, and crowd Of
workers begin al once TO repair the breach. When
the work is completed, another order is given, and
the workmen retire, as will appear on removing the
soft freshly-built portion The party was one night
attacked by battGlions of very small species, not
more than one-Sxteenth of an inch in length.
They were under regular military discipline carry
ing out the plans and stratagems Of some eminent
leader Large bodies of the little pests were massed
in silence round the hands and nechs, which were
the first objects Of attack The sharp, shrill word
of command was two or three times repeated, and
the instant after, the storming hosts would range
over head and neck biting the tender skin, clingng
with death-grp to the hair, and parting with
their jaws rather than quit their hold.
Dr. Livingstone renews his acquaintance his
old friend the elephant, of whose habits and man
nerS he always gives a minute and almost pictorial
description. The elephant never returns to the
river by the same path, on two successive nights
Some veteran leader will walk in advance Of the
herd, and uncover the pits, which have been
dug TO entrap him, with his trunk, that the
Others may see the opening and tread on firm
ground. Female elephants are generally the first
to FAY into the trap. In their notherly anxiety for
their calvos they carry their trunks up trying every
breeze for fancied danger which in reality lies at
their feet. The wary patoriamilas, less timd
keeps hi trunk down, and warned in time by that
sensitive organ, takes heed to his ways. The cut
ting up of an elephant is quite unique spectacle
The men stand round the animal in dead silence
while according TO ancient custom, the head
and right hind leg are given 20 him who
killed the animal, that is, who inflicted the frst
wound; the left leg TO him who delivered the see
ond or first touched the elephant after he fell The
meat around the eve is given TO the English travel
eTs, and different parts to the head Of the DIFF
ferent fires, or groups, which compose the camp
The delivery is accompanied with On Grafton by the
chief of the party, and al its Close the excitement
OF the natives becomes intense. They scream
wildly as they cut away at the carcass with score
Of spears, whose long handles quiyer in the air
above their heads When the huge mass is actually
laid open, which is denoted by roar and rush Of
gas, their frenzy reaches its hight. Some jump
inside the cavity of the body and roll about there in
their eagrness to seize the precious fat Others run
of screaming with pieces the bloody meat throw it
on the grass and run back for more: while all keep
talking and shouting ut the very top OF their
voices. Occasionally yell Of agony burst forth,
as a native energies out Of the moving mass Of dead
elephant and wTigging humanity with his hand bad
Is cut by the spear Of his frantic neighbor. In an
incredbyshoTt time tuns of meat are cut up, and
placed in separate heaps. The elephants fore foot
is considered great dainty. \ fire is made in
large hole dug in the ground; when the inside Is
Thoroughly heated, the foot is placed in Il, and
covered over with hot ashes; another fire is made
above the whole, and kept burning all night. In
the morning, il comes out whitish mass, slightly
eelatinous. and sweet, like marrow. Elephants
trunk and tongue are also good eating, resembling
the hump Of buffalo, but all the other meat IA
tough, and Of unpleasant favor. The quantity OF
meat deyoured by the men is quite incredible
They boil as much as their pots viii hold and eat
till they can stow away 10 more. This is followed
by riotous dance with shout and song as soon Gs
they have shaken down this first course and washed
off the sweat and dust Of the dance, they 90 20
work to roast more; a short snatch OF sleep sue
ceeds, and they are up and at it again. all night
long it is boil aud cat, roast and eat, with the in
teryals Of dance and sleep.
Among the localities of interest described IN this
volume is Lake Nyssa, which was discovered by
the Expedition on the 10th Of September, 1872
The southern end of this lake is IN LAT Ia - 3
and in Ion. 35' 80 L. 1t is about 200 miles long
with an average breadth Of % miles, and depth
from - 10 20 fathoms II is visited by storms, and
in the rainy season rises about three feet Inc
population on its shores is very dense.
The Victoria Falls on the Zambesi River are
among the most remarkable cnriosites OF The IN
terror of Africa For several miles above the cat
aract the river is smooth and tranquil, flowing by
lovely islands thicly covered with tropical yegeta
ton. Lofty palm trees, with their fruit IN golden
clusters, grow abundantly upon the banks. Many
flowers peep out near the waters edge But these
charming islands are soon succeeded by dangerous