The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-30

spittle contains formic acid and it is Of such a nature that it changes the clay into a paste or glue which afterward turns to stone. It may be mixed with water and softened. but as rule 1t is a hard as cement and has the same proper ties. All over Africa the natives take this ant-clay for their building material. They start their huts by making framework of sticks which they weave in and out much like a basket. Over this they spread the wet clay from the white ant hills, using it as a plaster. After time the walls become as solid as stone and they form a perfect protection from the wealth er In some places the huts are compos- ed entirely of this material and in others theya end in cones of thatch. Many of the pioneers of Rhodesa live in huts of this character, and there is a mission church here which Is plastered with red clay from the abandoned homes of the white ants. The church is fioored with such clay, but it's overhangings roof is of gal vanized iron It was put up by the Rev. John M. Springer who for long time was the head of the Methodist Episcopal missions at Umtali. MT. Springer stopped at Broken Hill on trip across Africa and built this church during his stay.
 The Station Farthest North.
 But suppose we take a look at Broken Hill, the present terminus of the Cape to Cairo railroad. It Is the South African station farthest north and is in the very of aolx 2Q0 miles above the Zambesi river, and more than hundred miles from the Kafue river. which is one of the Zambesi' s mighty branches. AThe land here Is high and healthy It is great plain lying farther above the sea than the average altitude of the tops of the Allegheny mountains. The plain is covered with grass which reaches far above ones head, and is spotted with patches of for est and clumps of brush. The woods are not dense nor or the trees large, but they are the haunts of many wild ami mals. The country seems rich, and it will some day be taken up by farmers and stock raisers.
 Broken Hill itself is a mining town supported by the several hills of zinc and lead which I shall describe later on. Ii consists of two settlements, one ofSwhich
 is devoted to the white officers and over
 seers who manage the mines and to the native workmen who live in kraal near
 by and the other of the hotel and store,
 and the homes of those who have busi-
 ness outside the mines. There are no sa- looms in either settlement. and the selling of liquor Is contrary to law.
 I wish could show you the hotel at
 Broken Hill. It is collection of matched
 huts made of red clay from the homes
 of the white ants. The largest hut Is the
 dining room and near it is the kitchen built so far away that no smell can of fend. Every guest has his own ndividua hut as a bedroom. The bedroom huts are also made of red clay with grass windows and mosquito nets take the place of glass. The dining room is about twen ty feet square and the walters are hal
 naked negroes who trot about in theil 1 bare feet.
 A Bad Place for Babies.
 This hotel is almost in the jungle. Th' places between the huts are clear, bu the grass behind is as high as your head and 1t would be easily possible for leo pard or a lion to crawl up and sneak ou l a baby. Indeed, the mothers watch thei children carefully, and the little one never play out of doors after dark.
 And gre there white children sway uI