observer, yet that possibly he raises the sand to
his mouth, where whatever animalcule it may contain is sifted out of it,
and the remainder rejected in the manner described. At times the larger
species of crabs perform a sort of concert; and from each subterranean
abode strange sounds arise, as if, in imitation of the songsters of the
groves, for very joy they sang!

We found some natives pounding the woody stems of a poisonous climbing-
plant (_Dirca palustris_) called Busungu, or poison, which grows
abundantly in the swamps. When a good quantity was bruised, it was tied
up in bundles. The stream above and below was obstructed with bushes,
and with a sort of rinsing motion the poison was diffused through the
water. Many fish were soon affected, swain in shore, and died, others
were only stupefied. The plant has pink, pea-shaped blossoms, and
smooth, pointed, glossy leaves, and the brown bark is covered with minute
white points. The knowledge of it might prove of use to a shipwrecked
party by enabling them to catch the fish.

The poison is said to be deleterious to man if the water is drunk; but
not when the fish is cooked. The Busungu is repulsive to some insects,
and is smeared round the shoots of the palm-trees to prevent the ants
from getting into the palm wine while it is dropping from the tops of the
palm-trees into the little pots suspended to collect it.

We were in the habit of walking from our beds into the salt water at
sunrise, for a bath, till a large crocodile appeared at the
bathing-place, and from that time forth we took our dip in the sea, away
from the harbour, about midday. This is said to be unwholesome, but we
did not find it so. It is certainly better not to bathe in the mornings,
when the air is colder than the water--for then, on returning to the
cooler air, one is apt to get a chill and fever. In the mouth of the
river, many saw-fish are found. Rowe saw one while bathing--caught it by
the tail, and shoved it, "snout on," ashore. The saw is from a foot to
eighteen inches long. We never heard of any one being wounded by this
fish; nor, though it goes hundreds of miles up the river in fresh water,
could we learn that it was eaten by the people. The hippopotami
delighted to spend the day among the breakers, and seemed to enjoy the
fun as much as we did.

Severe gales occurred during our stay on the Coast, and many small sea-
birds (_Prion Banksii_, Smith) perished: the beach was s