I have seen only two dwarfs. These were in Unyoro, one of whom was
described by Speke (Kimenya): he is since dead. The other was at the
court of Kabba Rega, named Rakoomba. We measured this little fellow, who
was exactly three feet and half-an inch in height, at the age of about
eighteen years.
The teeth are remarkable throughout Central Africa. I have examined
great numbers of skulls, and I never found a decayed tooth. Many tribes
extract the four front teeth of the lower jaw. The bone then closes, and
forms a sharp edge like the jaw of a turtle.
MAMMALIA*
(*Mr. Sclater, of the Zoological Society of London, has furnished me
with the scientific names of the antelopes and other mammals.)
The principal animals and birds in the Shooli country are: -
Native name.
Gezella dama. Lajooar.
Nanotragus hemprichianus. Amoor.
Cervicapra lencolis. Teel.
Cervicapra ellipsiprymna. Apoolli.
Cervicapra arundinaera. Oboor.
Alcelaphus bubalis. Poora.
Trageiaphus scriptus. Roda.
Hippoacayus Bakeri Aboori.
Camelopardalis giraffa. Ree.
Phacochaerus AEtani (Rupp) (Wart-hog). Kool.
Bos caffer. Joobi.
Elephas Africanus. Leteb.
Rhinoceeros bicornis. Oomooga.
Felis leo. Lobohr.
Felis leopardes. Quatch.
Wild dog, probably (Lycaon pietus). Orara.
Jackal. Roodi.
Hyana crocata. Laluha.
Manis Temminckii. Mooak.
Hystrix ap. Cho.
Viverra genetta. Gnonge.
Felis caracal. Quorra.
Herpsales striatus. Juang.
Struthio cameles. Oodo.
Leptoptilus crumenfirus. Kiaoom.
Hyrax ap. Dooka.
Aulacodus Swindernianus, or great reed-rat Neeri.
Eupodoles sp. Apido.
Nemida meleugris (?) Owino.
Francolinus sp. (?) Aweri.
The zebra exists in the Shooli country, but is very rare. Hippopotami
are to be found in the Asua river.
On the borders of the White Nile we find the Cervicapra megaceros and
the beautiful Damalis Senegalensis, which I had supposed was a new
species when I first secured it on the banks of the Bahr Giraffe.
Nothing new has been actually discovered during the expedition, and
there can be nothing existing as an animal that is not well known to the
natives, with whom I constantly associated; therefore there is little
hope of unknown species, excepting the wild dog known by the Shooli as
"Orara."
The botanical collection, made entirely by Lady Baker, was handed to the
Khedive of Egypt, therefore I regret that I cannot describe it.
LIBERATED SLAVES.
Upon arrival at Gondokoro with our party, we were shortly visited by the
Bari father of little Cuckoo, who had travelled seven hundred miles with
us. In a year and a half Cuckoo had grown immensely, and being in a good
suit of clothes, he was with difficulty recognized by his savage-looking
parent, who had parted with him as a naked, ash-smeared little urchin of
between six and seven years old.
I am sorry to say that Cuckoo did not meet his father with an
affectionate embrace, but at first positively refused to go with him;
and when compelled to accompany him as a prodigal son and wanderer, he
dug his knuckles into his eyes and began to cry.
