val."

Hence the disgust with which they were viewed.

On our way from Khopong, along the ancient river-bed which forms the
pathway to Boatlanama, I found a species of cactus, being the third I
have seen in the country, namely, one in the colony with a bright red
flower, one at Lake Ngami, the flower of which was liver-colored, and
the present one, flower unknown. That the plant is uncommon may be
inferred from the fact that the Bakwains find so much difficulty in
recognizing the plant again after having once seen it, that they believe
it has the power of changing its locality.

On the 21st of January we reached the wells of Boatlanama, and found
them for the first time empty. Lopepe, which I had formerly seen a
stream running from a large reedy pool, was also dry. The hot salt
spring of Serinane, east of Lopepe, being undrinkable, we pushed on to
Mashue for its delicious waters. In traveling through this country, the
olfactory nerves are frequently excited by a strong disagreeable odor.
This is caused by a large jet-black ant named "Leshonya". It is nearly
an inch in length, and emits a pungent smell when alarmed, in the same
manner as the skunk. The scent must be as volatile as ether, for, on
irritating the insect with a stick six feet long, the odor is instantly
perceptible.

Occasionally we lighted upon land tortoises, which, with their unlaid
eggs, make a very agreeable dish. We saw many of their trails leading
to the salt fountain; they must have come great distances for this
health-giving article. In lieu thereof they often devour wood-ashes. It
is wonderful how this reptile holds its place in the country. When seen,
it never escapes. The young are taken for the sake of their shells;
these are made into boxes, which, filled with sweet-smelling roots, the
women hang around their persons. When older it is used as food, and the
shell converted into a rude basin to hold food or water. It owes its
continuance neither to speed nor cunning. Its color, yellow and dark
brown, is well adapted, by its similarity to the surrounding grass
and brushwood, to render it indistinguishable; and, though it makes an
awkward attempt to run on the approach of man, its trust is in its bony
covering, from which even the teeth of a hyaena glance off foiled. When
this long-lived creature is about to deposit her eggs, she lets herself
into the ground by throwing the earth up round her shell, until only
the top is visible; then covering