X PREFACE 



quite different subjects. This must be my excuse for the lack 

 of uniformity and errors in style, of which I am sadly conscious. 

 This delay explains that most of the book was written before 

 the administration of the British East African Company had 

 been superseded by a direct protectorate. The references to 

 the Masai in the last chapter were printed before their recent 

 massacre of a thousand men on the Uganda road showed that 

 their capacity for mischief is not yet destroyed. 



It may be explained, in reference to the spelling of native 

 words and place-names, that the ordinary geographical rule 

 has been followed as far as practicable — vowels being pro- 

 nounced as in Italian, and consonants as in English. The 

 vowels, therefore, are used as follows : — 



An apparent discrepancy occurs in the spelling of personal 

 specific names, these being sometimes spelt with small letrers 

 and sometimes with capitals (thus Hemidactyhis brooki and 

 Senecio JoJinstoni). In deference to the wishes of my botanical 

 colleagues, I have accepted capital letters in the case of 

 plants. 



In conclusion, there remains the pleasant task of expressing 

 my sincere thanks for the helpful encouragement of friends 

 at home, and for the unstinted and ever ready assistance of 

 European residents in East Africa. I feel grateful to so many, 

 that it is invidious to make selections ; but I will not deny 

 myself the pleasure of thanking some because I cannot name 

 all. To Sir William Flower, K.C.B., and Dr. Henry Wood- 



