Such a conclusion has been amply borne out by the preceding delineation of the Bongo, who form an element in that unity. We cannot take a retrospect of the particulars which have been now detailed about them, without the question arising as to which of the other races of Central Africa most nearly resemble the Bongo. Any answer to this question that could not be invalidated would afford hints invaluable for the investigation of the latest movements among African nations; but I must confess that I am only hazarding an opinion which I cannot establish, when I name the countries about Lake Tsad as being those in which the most marked similarity in habit to the Bongo might be expected, and the tribes to which I would more particularly allude are the Musgoo, the Massa, the Wandala, and the Loggon. I conclude by repeating the comparison which I made at the beginning between the existence of a people and a drop of water evaporating in the sea. Ere long, the Bongo as a people will be quite forgotten, superseded by a rising race. The time cannot be far off when this race, so gifted and so impressionable, shall be known no more. The domination over the people which is contemplated in Egypt cannot fail to effect this result, and it is a destiny that probably awaits all the rest of the African races. However much the Nubian may tyrannize, he still leaves the poor natives a portion of their happiness. But there is still a more distant future: after the Nubian comes the Turk, and he takes all. Truly it is not without reason that the proverb circulates in every district, “Where the Turk has been no grass will grow.” FOOTNOTES: [28] Vide ‘Linguistische Ergebnisse einer Reise nach Central Afrika,’ by Dr. G. Schweinfurth. Berlin: Wiegandt and Hempsel, 1873. [29] An illustration of this contrivance appears in Petherick’s ‘Travels in Central Africa,’ vol. i. p. 255. [30] For a pictorial representation of this scene, vide vol. ii. [31] Vide Petherick, ‘Egypt, the Soudan,’ &c., p. 395. [32] Vide Chap. V. p. 206, _seq._ [33] The woodcut represents a vertical section of one of these smelting-ovens. [34] Petherick in his ‘Travels,’ vol. i. p. 164, refers to this shrub, and designates one of its branches by the name of “ebony.” [35] Tremaux: ‘Voyage Pittoresque au Soudan.’ Tab. XIV. CHAPTER VIII.