XIII.] ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF FLOATING ISLANDS. 161 



CHAPTER XIIL 



Floating Islands. — Their Origin and Growth. — Crossing the Sindi. — Uvinza. — A 

 Cordial Reception. — Strange Economy. — A Boy Chief. — Curious Visitors. — Cere- 

 monious Salutation. — Tattooing. — Ugaga. — Approach of Mirambo. — On our De- 

 fense. — Destruction of Several Villages. — Ferry Charges. — A Host of Claimants. — 

 The Malagarazi Ferry. — Sambo's Cookery. — Salt-making. — A Considerable Trade. 

 — Liquid Snuff. — A Droll Sight. — My Faithful Leo dies. — A Wild Beast in Camp. 

 — Sighting Tanganyika. — Arrival at Kawele. 



The Sindi was crossed on the 2d of February, on a mass of February, 

 floating vegetation, one of the peculiarities of intertropical Af- ^^'^*- 

 rica. Many rivers for a great portion of their courses are 

 studded with these islands, which, when in good condition, are 

 frequently used both by man and beast as natural floating' 

 bridges. 



At the point where we crossed, there was only a clear chan- 

 nel about two feet wide on each side, the remaining hundred 

 yards of the river's width being covered with this vegetable 

 growth, which extended about three-quarters of a inile down 

 the stream. 



Stepping on these islands is accompanied M-itli much the 

 same sensation as walking on a quaking bog overgrown with 

 rushes and grass. On boring with a pole through about three 

 feet of closely-matted vegetation mixed with soil, the river is 

 found, and the hippopotami pass underneath. 



These masses vary in thickness and stability from year to 

 year. They owe their origin to the rushes growing in the bed 

 of the river, imjjeding the course of floating debris, and causing 

 it to accumulate and form soil for vegetation. Plants quickly 

 spring up and flourish, and, interlacing their roots, a compact 

 mass is the result. This continues to increase for about six 

 years, when the limit is reached. Tlien the island begins to 

 decay, and disappears altogether in about four years. 



Caravans sometimes pass over them when the stage of decay 



