ELEPHANTS LOOK OUT FOR LEMONADE

Evening Star, Issue 22619, 10 April 1937, Page 7

ELEPHANTS LOOK OUT FOR LEMONADE

Portuguese East African elephants have discovered that free “ lemonade ” is to be had in Zululand—and they are on trek. Missionaries in Zululand are delighted at this invasion, for the “lemonade” is the famous übusulu, the palm ,of which thousands of the Tonga tribe frequently drink themselves into a stupor. The palm wiile comes from the Masala palm tree, and over large tracks of country in Northern Zululand the natives tap the palms and hang little cups on them to catch the precious wine.

Now the elephants have discovered the free supply of liquor, and the herds which habitually trek over the border are bringing their friends with them for a* quick drink. Not only do they drink the wine, but they also eat the vessels into which the natives tap it. These ingenious cups are made of the shells of monkey-oranges. So besides getting an aperitif, the elephants get a snack as well. According to native descriptions, the sap of the übusulu is lemonade the first day, wine the second, brandy the third —and then plain fire. Fortunately the elephants. get it at the lemonade stage.