ir way
into our beds; but in every instance we were fortunate enough to discover
and destroy them before they did any harm. Naval officers on this coast
report that, when scorpions and centipedes remain a few weeks after being
taken on board in a similar manner, their poison loses nearly all its
virulence; but this we did not verify. Snakes sometimes came in with the
wood, but oftener floated down the river to us, climbing on board with
ease by the chain-cable, and some poisonous ones were caught in the
cabin. A green snake lived with us several weeks, concealing himself
behind the casing of the deckhouse in the daytime. To be aroused in the
dark by five feet of cold green snake gliding over one's face is rather
unpleasant, however rapid the movement may be. Myriads of two varieties
of cockroaches infested the vessel; they not only ate round the roots of
our nails, but even devoured and defiled our food, flannels, and boots.
Vain were all our efforts to extirpate these destructive pests; if you
kill one, say the sailors, a hundred come down to his funeral! In the
work of Commodore Owen it is stated that cockroaches, pounded into a
paste, form a powerful carminative; this has not been confirmed, but when
monkeys are fed on them they are sure to become lean.

On coming to Senna, we found that the Zulus had arrived in force for
their annual tribute. These men are under good discipline, and never
steal from the people. The tax is claimed on the ground of conquest, the
Zulus having formerly completely overcome the Senna people, and chased
them on to the islands in the Zambesi. Fifty-four of the Portuguese were
slain on the occasion, and, notwithstanding the mud fort, the village has
never recovered its former power. Fever was now very prevalent, and most
of the Portuguese were down with it.

For a good view of the adjacent scenery, the hill, Baramuana, behind the
village, was ascended. A caution was given about the probability of an
attack of fever from a plant that grows near the summit. Dr. Kirk
discovered it to be the _Paedevia foetida_, which, when smelt, actually
does give headache and fever. It has a nasty fetor, as its name
indicates. This is one instance in which fever and a foul smell
coincide. In a number of instances offensive effluvia and fever seems to
have no connection. Owing to the abundant rains, the crops in the Senna
district were plentiful; this was fortunate, after the partial failure of