Through Ruanda to Lake Kiwu 73 



white or silvery rose-coloured immortelles {Helichrysuin). We 

 only found withered stems of lobelia, and the peculiar leaf- 

 rosettes of the young plants, which were not then in bloom. We 

 were compensated in a small way by finding some heather strewn 

 over with rose-coloured blossoms {E. rugegensis Engl.'). 



" The brooks themselves were adorned with a species of 

 Alchemilla (Rumex Steudelii Hochsi.) and the graceful Hyperi- 

 cian lanceolatum with extraordinarily fine foliage and large yellow 

 flowers, and here and there were to be seen picturesquely and 

 irregularly ramified stocks of Hagenia abyssinica, the Abyssinian 

 Kosso tree, which with its pinnate leaves is reminiscent of the 

 so-called * Tanners' Sumac' 



" Unfortunately we were only privileged to remain one week in 

 the Rukarara camp. Our stock of provisions, for white men and 

 carriers alike, was seriously diminishing. It is true that we might 

 have sent for a further supply from Ischangi, but that would have 

 meant prolonging our stay to such an extent that the general 

 plan of the expedition would have been upset. You may imagine 

 what it means to the collector to have to leave so soon a mountain 

 forest which belongs to the richest, most luxuriant, and fertile 

 forest regions in all Tropical Africa. Certainly our hearts were 

 not brimming over with joy when on the 23rd of August we bade 

 farewell to a place that had become so dear to us. In spite of 

 that, however, our botanical finds were very satisfactory, and the 

 forest trees were especially well represented (by various material) 

 in our collection. This was only rendered possible by my having 

 botanised 'with telescope and rifle.' From the paths in the 

 forest or from some elevated standpoint I would range along the 

 crowns, aided by a good prism glass, and when a rich-bloomed 

 but somewhat sparsely branched bough was found, I would let 

 fire. I used nickel-coated, lead-nosed bullets of the calibre of 

 the military rifle. In favourable cases the bough came away 

 after two or, perhaps, three shots ; but when, although broken, 

 it still hung by a few shreds of fibre to the trunk, the expendi- 

 ture of ammunition was considerable, and the marksman fell 



into mild despair. In any case, it was the only way possible 

 K 



