a little calico. They know the value of gold perfectly well, for they
bring it for sale in goose-quills, and demand 24 yards of calico for one
penful. When the rivers in the district of Manica and other gold-washing
places have been flooded, they leave a coating of mud on the banks. The
natives observe the spots which dry soonest, and commence digging there,
in firm belief that gold lies beneath. They are said not to dig deeper
than their chins, believing that if they did so the ground would fall in
and kill them. When they find a 'piece' or flake of gold, they bury it
again, from the superstitious idea that this is the seed of the gold,
and, though they know the value of it well, they prefer losing it rather
than the whole future crop. This conduct seemed to me so very unlikely
in men who bring the dust in quills, and even put in a few seeds of a
certain plant as a charm to prevent their losing any of it on the way,
that I doubted the authority of my informant; but I found the report
verified by all the Portuguese who knew the native language and mode of
thinking, and give the statement for what it is worth. If it is really
practiced, the custom may have been introduced by some knowing one
who wished to defraud the chiefs of their due; for we are informed in
Portuguese history that in former times these pieces or flakes of gold
were considered the perquisites of the chiefs.

Major Sicard, the commandant, whose kindness to me and my people was
unbounded, presented a rosary made of the gold of the country, the
workmanship of a native of Tete, to my little daughter; also specimens
of the gold-dust of three different places, which, with the coal of
Muatize and Morongoze, are deposited in the Museum of Practical Geology,
Jermyn Street, London.

All the cultivation is carried on with hoes in the native manner,
and considerable quantities of 'Holcus sorghum', maize, 'Pennisetum
typhoideum', or lotsa of the Balonda, millet, rice, and wheat are
raised, as also several kinds of beans--one of which, called "litloo" by
the Bechuanas, yields under ground, as well as the 'Arachis hypogaea',
or ground-nut; with cucumbers, pumpkins, and melons. The wheat is sown
in low-lying places which are annually flooded by the Zambesi. When the
waters retire, the women drop a few grains in a hole made with a hoe,
then push back the soil with the foot. One weeding alone is required
before the grain comes to maturity. This simple process represent