THE BUTAGU VALLEY 145 



less steep, there is dense tropical forest up to about 

 7,000 feet, of a character similar to that which grows 

 at a rather higher level in the Mubuku Valley. 

 Bamboos are found at about 7,200 feet — that is 

 considerably lower than on the east side of the 

 range — and tree-heaths also begin at a lower level ; 

 indeed, so far as we could judge in the very limited 

 time that we were able to spend in the Butagu 

 Valley, it would seem that all the zones of vegeta- 

 tion are at a lower level than on the east side of the 

 range, and from the appearance of the vegetation 

 and the number of constantly flowing streams it 

 may be concluded that the rainfall is heavier than 

 it is in the Mubuku Valley. But these very interest- 

 ing questions can only be decided by the man who 

 has the good fortune to spend a quiet time on the 

 west side of Ruwenzori. 



A short distance above Kakalongo the Butagu 

 River is formed by the junction of three torrents. 

 Of these, the most southern brings the water from 

 the west slopes of Mount Luigi di Savoia and from 

 the south side of Mount Stanley ; the middle stream 

 (Wussussa) drains the western slopes of the highest 

 peaks (Mount Stanley); and the more northern 

 stream (Butagu) comes down from the western 

 outliers of the last-named mountain. In the lower 

 part of their course these valleys are exceedingly 

 deep, and are separated from each other by steep, 

 knife-edged ridges. 



After spending a day or two in making a camp 



10 



