collected m North Nyasaland. 521 



At our last camp, about 1000 feet below us, and which we 

 could now look down on, the temperature stood at 72"^ Fahr. 

 in the shade at noon ; here it stood at 60° Fahr., with a 

 sharp north-east wind blowing/' 



Travelling along the plateau in quest of water and collect- 

 ing the Alpine plants, Mr. Whyte discovered a small spring in 

 a ravine, and on the 24tli of June camped here (Camp No. I.) 

 after five days' march from Karonga. The spot, however, 

 proved to be cold and damp, and after three days' sojourn 

 Mr. Whyte moved about five miles further on into a sheltered 

 little vale furnisbed with wood and water, where he resolved 

 to establish himself more permanently (Camp No. II.). 

 Huts were built for the men, and the tent was pitched in 

 their centre, so that all were protected from the dense mist, 

 mizzling rain, and cold winds, which usually prevailed here 

 until 9 A.M. 



After settling here, all bands were told off as collectors, 

 and an amusing description is given by Mr. Whyte of the 

 various modes in which they were employed in gathering 

 together the natural objects of every description. The 

 display of wild flowers on these heights was most gorgeous. 

 It was a perfect paradise for the botauist, new plants cropping 

 up in all directions. 



On June 27tb the highest point of the range, which was 

 named " Centre Peak," was ascended, and found to consist 

 of two confused heaps of lichen-covered granite blocks. Its 

 height was calculated at nearly 8000 feet above the scii-level. 

 Near the summit Mr. Whyte captured an example of a new 

 mole-rat [Georhynchus whytei, Thomas). 



The prominent feature of this high mountain district was 

 the abundance of rodents and other small mammals. Of 

 these Mr. Thomas has already described the principal novelties 

 in a communication to the Zoological Society on the 4th of 

 May last*, and will give a complete account later on. Birds 

 were also numerous and of interest, as will be seen by 

 Capt. Shelley's report on them. Mr. Whyte specially men- 

 tions a large Crested Hawk-Eagle {Spizaetus coronatus) with 



* See r. Z. S. 1897, p. 430. 



