“Dum Palms (_Hyphæne thebaica_) grow here, as they do at the ford of Khor Kos. It appears, therefore, that the southern limit of this tree runs along the Bahr-al-Jabl between Bor and Lado, and then advances farther to the south, no doubt owing to the sandy soil which connects the Lotuka and Somal districts.[102] Picturesque groups of rocks, inhabited by the restless Hyrax, well-tilled fields, and here and there small clumps of doleb palms are seen along the road to Elianga, where, on the edges of the rocks, numerous clay vessels containing human bones seem to say ‘Memento mori,’ a rather unnecessary warning in Central Africa.” Emin describes the Lotuka villages as being dreadfully dirty, in contrast to the Bari settlements, which are always kept scrupulously clean within, though their environments are filthy. Hundreds of rats and mice infest the Lotuka huts. These latter are built upon round substructures about four and one-half feet high, usually caulked and overlaid with mud. The huts are surmounted by bell-shaped roofs (sometimes peaked), which project considerably over the substructures. A small doorway is left open, about two and a half feet high, which must, of course, be entered on all fours. The interior is kept fairly clean, but is quite dark. The thatch is generally made of grass; many huts are covered with split leaves of the _Borassus_ palm, which are more durable and compact,--a very desirable quality for withstanding tropical rain. Sheep and goats are the only domestic animals kept here; the former are long legged and of a superior breed. The Lotuka do not seem to keep dogs. Agriculture, as is usual among hunting tribes, is rather neglected, although the soil is excellent, and the Sudanese soldiers stationed in Lotuka grew without difficulty durrah, maize, ground-nuts, and splendid watermelons. Ostriches are caught when young, and are tamed in the Lotuka settlements. Sometimes they are hatched from eggs buried in the sand. Snakes of many kinds, especially viperine, frequent the Lotuka villages unmolested by the people, and often making their way into the huts after the rats. A poisonous species of _Echis_ is, however, much dreaded.