80 A DESCRIPTION OF THE WANYORO.

Helmia bulbifera (maktngo), and Voandzeia subterranea (mpdndt), which is here self-coloured, red or black, and boils quite soft, in contrast to the hard, speckled Bari.variety. Manioc (Manihot utilissima) is only to be found in the south of the country, and has been introduced from the other side of the equator. Phaseolus mungo (ntoyo) is much esteemed, and seems to be widely distributed; I remember seeing this kind in Southern and EHastern Arabia, where it is called mwnge.

My attention was repeatedly aroused in the evening by a drumming, rapping noise, which continued far into the night. It was produced by the collectors of termites, who light a fire beside the “ kdnatir” (ant-hills), and, as they imagine, induce the male termites to swarm out more rapidly by beating pieces of wood together. These insects are eaten raw or roasted. They are called wevd, and their hills kizvd.

It is a curious fact that, among all the Negro tribes in this part of Africa, domestic animals, kept in confinement, are exceedingly rare. The negro’s mind is not adapted for taming wild animals; his nature is entirely negative. Here and there one comes across a domesticated wild cat, or perhaps a housecat brought from the north. The dogs are of medium size, with slightly pointed muzzles; they carry their rather long, short-haired tails erect, are lop-eared, long-bodied, lean, and usually of a buff colour.

Hunting parties often take place. When they are arranged privately, those that take part in them choose the leader among themselves; but when they are set on foot by the chief of the tribe, he appoints the leader. The man who throws the first spear at an animal receives a fore-foot if it is killed. .The division of the booty is effected by general agreement. If the game runs on to ground belonging to another man, and dies there, the owner receives the right fore-foot. If a leopard or lion is killed near the king’s dwelling, the whole animal is carried to him; if the place where the animal is slain is too far off, only the skin is brought to the king. When people kill one of these animals on foreign soil, the skin belongs to the king of the country. One tusk of all elephants slain belongs by right to the king, the other may be kept by the hunter, but the king usually gives him a girl in exchange.