The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-07


held by Europeans. the Doctor estimates the
lake TO De from seventy TO 100 miles In crcumer-
ence, the water fresh when full, but brackish when
low. description Is gwen OF the rivers that
empty into the lake, with accounts OF the pro-
digous amount OF fish that abound in them and OF
the elephants antelopes, &C., that feed upon their
banks.
RETURNS TO THE CAPE.
After making q number Of expeditions during
the years 1850 and 1851, but which were produc-
tive OF little beyond asccrtaining the course of
sundry small streams, the habits, condition and
feeling of the chiefs and inhabitants &c, the Doc
tor returned TO Cape Town in April, 1852. Here he
placed his family in homeward bound ship, prom
ising to rejotn them in two wears, but Ave years
elapsed before he was enabled to fulfil his promise
JOURNEY OF Is52-1S56.
In the beginning OF June, 1852, he started on his
last journey from Cape Town. This was from the
southern extremity Of the continent to st. Paul de
Loando, the capital OF Angola on the west coast
and thence across South Central Africa In an
obiqne direction to Quilimane, Up Eastern Africa,
showing the
NATURAL DIVISIONS OF AFRICA.
The route to the north lay near the centre OF
the cOne-snaped mass Of land which constitutes
the premontory OF the cape tthe Caffre country.
The next division which embraces the centre of
the continent, can scarcely be called hilly for it
consists mostly OF extensive, slightly undalating
plains inhabited by a timid race called Beshuanas.
The western division is still more Level than the
mddle one, being rugged only near the coast. IL
includes the great plain called the kalahari
Desert, which is remarkable Tor little water and
considerable vegetation. A people, descendants
OF Europeans, called
is described by the Doctor Population. he says,
tuor NJ IN
worthy matron whose husband thought 1t right TO
initiate the conduct OF Abraham while sarah was
barren she evidently agreed in the propriety Of
the measure, for she was pleased TO hear the
children nv mother OF what has been thought an
inferior race address her as their mother. Two
centuries OF the South African climate have not
had much erect upon the physical condition Of the
Beers. They are shade darker, or rather ruddier,
than Europeans, and are never cadaverous look
ing, az descendants Of Europeans are said to be
elsewhere. The Beers subsequently vowed ven-
geance against the Doctor The parts OF the COL
ony through which the Doctor passed were Of
sterile aspect Wool, ivory, few skins and horns
and some cattle make up the total OF exports, Tor
which English goods, sugar, tea and coffee are re-
ceived in exchange.
THE MISSIONARY STATION AT HUFFMAN.
II is ridiculous, says the Doctor, to call such
places as Kuruman Missionary Society's prop
erty" This beautiful station, ne continues, was
made what 1t is, not by English money, but by the
sweat and toll OF fathers whose children have
withstanding, no place on earth which they can
call a home. The societys operations may be
transferred to the north and then the strong built
mission premises become the home Of Boer and
the stately stone church his cattle pen. No mere
profession of Christianity Is sufficient in South Al
RIGA TO entite the converts to the Christian name
AN ELECTRICAL DESERT.
On the Goth Of November DR.. Livingstone pro-
ceeded on his journey, and, after leaving Motto,
forty miles OF, skrted along the Kalahari Desert
and sometimes within its borders Watermelons
were found in such abundance that traveller
he met stated that his cattle had subslsted
on the fuid contained in them no less
than twenty one days. Coming to the lake
lNgamD from the southeast he crossed the
Te0nghe and went round the northern part OF it,
being tine only European traveller who had
actually seen 1t ALL The hot afr Of the desert Is at
times SO strongly charged with electricity that a
bunch Of ostrich feathers held few seconds
against 1t become as strongly charged as IL at
tached to powerful electrical machine and clasps
the advancing hand with o sharp cracking sound.
LITUBARUBA.
On the 3lSt of December, 1852 he reached
Ltubaruba. The sdperstitons OF the natives here
page
SLAVERY.
In regard to slavery the Beers assert that they
are the best OF masters, and that II the English
had possessed the HOttentOt slaves they would
have received much worse treatment than they
did. What that would have been it is dificult to
imagine. The Doctor iacetiously remarks that
1.-THE Beers know from experience that adult cap
tives may as well be left alone, Tor escape is so
easy In a wild country that no fugitive slave law
can come into operation"
THE DISEASES OF THIS REGION
received q full share OF observation from the
Doctor, and great deal OF valuable information
for the nateid anedica is the result of his patient
and scientific Investigations He recommends the
borders OF the Kalahari Desert as admirably suited
for patients having pulmonary complaints.
DISEASES AND HABITS OF WILD ANIMALS.
Leaving the .wretched Bakwains'' on the 18th
OF January, 1858, DR.. Livingstone reached the
wells OF Baatanama on the 2lst, but the wells
being empty he pushed on for the delicious waters
OF Mashue, his oliactory nerves being frequently
excited. while travelling, by strong. disagreeablc
odor caused by large jet black native ants, whose
scent he describes as volatile as ether. He ascer
tanned that many diseases prevail among Wild
animals, ana saw the KOkong or gnu kama or
hartebeest the tsessebe, kukama and the girane
SO NANCY as to be uneatabie even by the natives.
These discoveries are valuable as showing the
character OF the diet one may expect who
travels in those regions. Great numbers Of
xebras are found dead with masses OF foam
at the nostrils, after the manner OF our
own epzootic Bunaloes go blind from Oph-
thamia. Rhinoceroses have worms in their eyes.
Elephants are troubled with worms In their ntcs-
tines. Antelopes are pestered with red larv@.
lions become lean and perish miSerably by reason
OF the decay OF their teeth, unless fed tenderly on
the lesn of women and children. When the teeth OF
an ola lion fail from age or imperfect dentistry he
becomes man eater In the words OF the ma
tives, ellis teeth worn, he WIN soon kill menu
But nothing the Doctor saw or heard about lions
would constitute barrier in The way OF men Of
ordinary courage. DR.. Livingstone furnishes
very interesting chapter on the diseases and do
nestle habits OF wild animals in Africa as well as