CHAPTER VI 



IN THE VOLCANIC REGION 



The Virunga volcanic group rises up like a mighty barrier 

 4,500 metres above sea-level, from the bottom of the great 

 Central African rift-valley, that vast depression which stretches 

 from the southern end of Lake Tanganjika over Lakes Kiwu 

 and Albert Edward to Albert Nyanza. There are eight gigantic 

 volcanoes, or earth upheavals, which bear testimony to the mighty 

 subterranean forces concealed in the womb of the earth. Daunt- 

 lessly their colossal forms tower up to the skies, and not 

 infrequently one sees the dazzling snow on their highest peaks 

 gleaming under a tropical sun. 



The summit line of the volcanoes forms the natural northern 

 boundary of the German province of Ruanda, and it is to be 

 hoped that before long, and definitely, it will also mark the 

 political boundary between this part of German East Africa 

 and the neighbouring Congo State. German enterprise and 

 German exploration work have opened it up to the civilised 

 world. It was for the sake of the Virunga volcanoes that Count 

 Gotzen undertook his expedition right across Africa in 1893, 

 and this journey led, as mentioned in the previous chapter, to 

 the discovery of Lake Kiwu, and also brought us the first 

 accurate information concerning the volcanic area in its northern 

 section. Our knowledge of this part of the country has since been 

 increased and supplemented by the work of the German Congo 

 Boundary Expedition (in which undertaking Captain Herrmann 

 represented Germany's interests), by Dr. Kandt's meritorious 

 exploring work, and by the journeys of investigation made by 

 German officers like Bethe, von Beringe, von Parisch, and others. 



