Library of Cryptozoology

Susi, to whom this snake [the mamba] is known in the Shupanga tongue as "Bubu," describes it as about twelve feet long, dark in colour, of a dirty blue under the belly, with red markings like the wattles of a cock on the head. The Arabs go so far as to say that it is known to oppose the passage of a caravan at times. Twisting its tail round a branch, it will strike one man after another in the head with fatal certainty. Their remedy is to fill a pot with boiling water, which is put on the head and carried under the tree! The snake dashes his head into this and is killed—the story is given for what it is worth. It would seem that at Ujiji the natives, as in other places, cannot bear to have snakes killed. The "Chatu," a species of python, is common, and, from being highly favoured, becomes so tame as to enter houses at night. A little meal is placed on the stool, which the uncanny visitor laps up, and then takes its departure—the men significantly say they never saw ...

Dr. Kirk informs me that the natives of the Zambesi district spoke of a large animal, which was not the Hippopotamus, but as large as it, inhabiting Lake Shirwa. Of course, the natives were familiar enough with the Hippopotamus, and not likely to make any mistake as regards it; but as the animal was not actually seen by any of Dr. Livingstone's party, the statement is only of importance as indicating a point to be inquired into when occasion serves.