APPENDIX A 



of surface water there in February. Between this and the 

 main Lorian Swamp the river flows through an open plain 

 for about six miles (approximately), though the bush comes 

 very near to its northern bank just west of Melka Waja, 

 The main Lorian Swamp, whose long axis runs N,W. and 

 S.E., consists, on its eastern extremity, of grass some 12 

 feet high. There are a few trees along both banks of the 

 river, but the grass soon gives place to a dense bed of reeds, 

 narrow on the northern bank, but about twelve miles broad on 

 the southern bank. The Uaso Nyiro enters these reeds near 

 Melka Dera,^ and on its entrance divides into three channels, 

 of which the northern one was dry, as was the southern one. 

 The main branch, however, winds its way through in a distinct 

 channel some 10 yards broad at first and 2 feet deep, but 

 gradually grows narrower until, when it emerges from the 

 swamp near Melka Waja, it is scarcely 6 yards broad and 

 12 inches deep. Some three miles westwards of this swamp it 

 flows beween high banks covered with dense jungle and tall 

 trees, which in turn give place to groups of dom palms and 

 large mimosa trees near Marti Mountain, where it makes a 

 large bend to the north. 



As to the existing resources of the country, they are 

 somewhat meagre. I saw no traces of valuable minerals, 

 but there was some fine timber in the forests of Guranlagga. 

 There are two species of trees used by the Somali for making 

 their spear-shafts. These might prove valuable for orna- 

 mental purposes, one being a rich black when worked, and 

 the other having a very beautiful grain. These trees were 

 also plentiful near the Lak Dera. 



If the water-supply could be improved, either by sinking 

 wells or building reservoirs, there is no doubt that many 

 crops could be grown with ease, for there are large tracts in 

 Guranlagga, Joreh, Kurde, Arroga, Gulola and Lorian, where 

 the soil is very rich. There are two plants which may be of 

 commercial value, as they are much used by natives for their 

 medicinal properties. One acts as a purge, the other seems 

 to possess much the same value as quinine. 



The map is from plane table and prismatic compass 

 ^ Latitude 1° 12' 58" N., longitude 39° 34' 37" E. 

 304 



