20 EASTERN ETHIOPIA n 



I examined several of these trees in various stages of 

 growth and satisfied myself on these points. In some 

 instances, the implicated tree seems as if surrounded by 

 boa constrictors ; before its life is completely destroyed, 

 the branches and leaves of the original tree may be seen 

 mingling with those of the destroying parasite. 



The most complete specimen I was able to examine 

 stands in the grounds of the French Mission about 

 three miles from Nairobi. The figs on these trees, 

 though tasteless, are eaten by Masai children, pigeons, 

 hornbills and starlings (Hinde). The Masai display 

 reverence for this tree and occasionally propitiate it by 

 killing a goat beneath it. 



From the Sports Ground the snowy summit of Kili- 

 manjaro is usually visible in the afternoon ; and about 

 four o'clock the beautiful snow-clad majestic peak of 

 Kenia (17,000 feet), glorified with the colours of sunset, 

 appears unveiled above the clouds. 



After leaving Nairobi the railway climbs the slope to 

 Kikuyu station (340 miles from Mombasa), passing 

 through forests which shelter elephants to Escarpment 

 station, and here reaches the edge of the famous Rift 

 Valley at an elevation of 7,830 feet above sea-level. 

 The train descends the ravine to Kitjabe, which marks 

 the limit of the Ukamba Province. Kitjabe means 

 " windy," and the place is well described by Sir Charles 

 Eliot as " a dusty gusty station." 



The view of the Rift Valley from the escarpment is 

 inexpressibly grand, with the great mass of Longonot 

 rising from the floor of the valley. The descent to Kitjabe 

 station is fascinating. The line passes across numerous 

 viaducts built at a great height above ravines. The 

 station is half-way down the descent to the valley, and 

 at this point the view is magnificent. Above we see 

 the well- wooded hills ; below, the slope to Lake 

 Naivasha, and beyond is the Mau Escarpment on the 

 opposite side of the valley. In the descent from the 

 Kikuyu escarpment to the fioor of the valley the line 



