314 KEDIBA TO BITI.

graves, which he amongst the huts, and are conical mounds, covered by stone pyramids, or enclosed within a circular fence made of branches. Bodies are said to be buried in a squatting position, the chin being placed upon the knees, and the arms around the shins. As a rule, the henhouses are built near the graves; they are cylindrical in form, and constructed either of stone slabs covered with clay, or else of wattle and daub, with heavy stone lids and doors. The fowls are very small; many are without tails; they are good layers, but their eggs are small. The ancient wealth in cattle of this country has become mythical. Hunting appears to be little practised; the country literally teems with herds of elephants, but no one ventures to attack them. In fact, the Negro tribes in this part of the country, as well as in Makraka, are very indolent; they are wanting in elasticity of mind and stamina, comparing unfavourably in these respects with their neighbours, the Dinka, Bari, and other tribes. This weakness of character has enabled the Danagla to obtain a footing in the country, and has exposed it to robbery, and to the evils inflicted by the slave-trade. The whole village is filled by dogs of the breed common to this country ; many are white, with yellowish-brown spots; others are liver or fawn coloured. No one has thought of training them for the chase.

Some ten minutes to the north-north-east of the village there is a broad watercourse, at present dry, which leads to the Amadi river. Many names are given to it; the Kederu call it Rodi, the Mort, Eyior Ayi. Water of good quality, although rather milky, is found in the sandy bed of the khor, very near the surface, as also in other places in large basins surrounded by blocks of rocks. The khor is fringed by luxuriant vegetation, amongst which are fig-trees, yielding small but tasty figs, and the Anogeissus, called silek by the Arabs, which is much prized on account of its excellent white wood. The Carpodinus tendril, from which indiarubber is obtained, is also very common, and is called bono. Masses of tall bamboo edge the khor, which must sometimes contain an immense quantity of water, for, at a height of six to eight feet above the surface of the bed, masses of plants, carried down by the current, hang upon the bushes. Animal life is varied and abundant, and