( cxxvi ) 



through a high ridge, running at right angles to the general 

 lie of the ridge, which is N. and S. It looked to me as if this 

 transverse ridge had been torn across by an earthquake, owing 

 to want of conformity with the surrounding country ; for the 

 faces of the cliffs were rough, and had not the appearance of 

 having been worn through by water. If this is so, then the 

 ridge must at one time have held up a great lake behind it, 

 with the overflow perhaps trickling over a low neck somewhere. 

 To my pleasure we had to stop here a day, owing to the delay 

 caused by large numbers having to cross the river in a few 

 canoes. So I caught butterflies in the very small patch of 

 forest (perhaps half a mile along the river and 200 yards broad) 

 which flourished where the falls and cascades were, and to my 

 great interest found a regular collection of typical forest species, 

 though surrounding country for miles is dried-up open bush 

 (and on the E. side almost waterless !). On the evening of 

 arrival I had caught Acraea jodutta (a rather abnormal speci- 

 men*), and Baoris niveicornis. Next morning (June 21) I 

 first caught a magnificent blue Salamis quite new to me — a 

 real prize. Next, a <J and $ Planema poggei, which was nice 

 after seeing the P. planemoides mentioned above. I didn't see 

 any $ dardanus here. I could have done with a little more 

 collecting here, but we had to move off, and subsequently 

 I haven't seen much. 



" On June 29 we reached the (formerly German) post whence 

 I now write — near S. end of Lake, but I must not mention 

 names. There are a few — no, I mustn't say that ! It's awful dull 

 country all round — very open, with no bush, and all dried up : 

 moreover, there are plenty of sick to look after, and so there 

 will be no more butterflies so long as I'm here. We have had 

 no real scrapping — only shots fired by a few Germans as they 

 retreated. We have captured a few prisoners (German men 

 and women) and some stores, but nothing of any real import- 

 ance — the scrapping has yet to come (on our side of G.E.A., 

 but the Boers seem to be having plenty). Keep a look-out 

 in the papers for news of the Belgian Northern columns, with 

 whom I am ! 



" Oh, one more interesting fact. You remember my saying 

 * It is A. esebria, Hew. — E. B. P. 



