reased by layers in the inside. Thus, in
the latter, when the hollow is full the growth is stopped, and the tree
dies. The first class suffers most severely by any injury affecting the
bark; the second, by an injury in the inside. Now the baobab, from
possessing all these qualities, may have the bark torn off, and may be
completely hollow, and yet continue to flourish. The cause of this is,
that each of the lamina possesses a vitality of its own, the sap rising
through every part of it. I had seen some trees, from which the natives
had so often stripped the bark that the lower part was two or three
inches in diameter less than the higher portion which they could not
reach. The wood was of a particularly spongy and soft nature; and I was
able to cut off enough with my knife to assist in keeping our fire
burning.

The storm still continued raging without, the wind howling among the
branches above our heads, although we sat secure as in a mansion of
granite. I was not free, however, from anxiety; for it occurred to me
that I might be mistaken as to the tree we were in not attracting the
lightning, and that the account I had heard about it might be incorrect.
I did not, however, express my misgivings to Natty. He, poor lad,
looked very pale and ill, and I regretted having allowed him to walk so
far; indeed, I felt it would have been better to have remained at our
former abode a couple of days more, or even longer, although it might
have made one or more journeys to the fountain necessary. I determined,
therefore, to secure the entrance, and make the inside of the tree as
comfortable as I could for him, and to remain there till he was better
able to proceed.

The rain continued to come down in torrents; the thunder roared, and the
lightning flashed vividly. I was afraid that the fine weather was
breaking up, and that the rainy season was about to begin. This would
make travelling more difficult than before, and give Natty less chance
of recovery. I made up my mind, however, to be resigned to whatever
might occur, and to do my best. Courageous as Natty generally was, he
at length became alarmed at the loud roaring of the thunder, and the
fearful crashing sound which ever and anon reached our ears as the
electric fluid, darting from the clouds, came zigzagging through the
air, and snake-like darted over the ground, sometimes, it seemed, within
a few yards of the tree. I did my best to reassure him, and was
than