A SOLID MASS OF FISH 



miles in length, were practically a solid mass of 

 myriads of fish, mostly siluroids, and often running 

 up to 30 lb. in weight. From the photographs 

 shown the numbers of the fish were incredible. No 

 water could be seen from bank to bank, nothing but 

 millions of fish packed as close as could be, but all 

 alive. There were more fish than water. In some 

 pools the crocodiles appear to have collected, and 

 half a dozen of these saurians could be seen lying 

 packed in a pool not more than 15 feet across. Just 

 before the traveller left the swamp the river was 

 beginning to rise, rain having evidently fallen at the 

 head- waters of the river." ^ 



This curious and interesting account was con- 

 firmed in a conversation I had recently with Mr. 

 W. N. Macmillan, the well-known African sportsman 

 and traveller, who had witnessed a similar scene. 



Such are a few of the accounts given by big-game 

 hunters, traders and officials, who have from time to 

 time made their way into the Lorian district, and it 

 will be seen what an extraordinary divergence of 

 opinion there was between them. To some extent 

 this may be explained by the fact that undoubtedly 

 the Lorian varies enormously with the time of year, 

 and during the rains it probably presents an entirely 

 different appearance to what it does during the dry 

 season. Another fact which no doubt has caused 

 some confusion is the name Lorian, as used by the 

 natives. The river which enters the swamp is known 

 as the Uaso Nyiro from the junction of the Uaso 

 Narok, and Ngare Nyuki until the remarkable vol- 

 canic plateau of Marti is reached. Thence until 



"^ Journal of East Africa and Uganda, Nat. Hist. Soc, July 1912, 

 "A Journey to the Lorian Swamp," communicated. 



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