Bujuku Valley. — Eeturii of the Expedition. 



Dr. Cavalli found plenty of occupation, and was busy for 

 several hours every day witli the sick people who came from 

 far and near, supported or carried with loving care by their 

 relations or friends. Wliile undergoing trifling operations they 

 would scream and weep, and immediately after laugh like 

 children. 



Commander Cao;ni undertook a series of magnetic observa- 

 tions. Dr. Koccati made geological and mineralogical excursions 

 in the neighbourhood. One of these took him to the little 

 lake abo\e Nakitawa where the Mahoma Valley opens into 

 the Mobuku Valley. This lakelet had been observed by 

 Moore, Johnston, Dawe, etc. Mr. Freshfield calls it Lake 

 Kobokora, but from all accoinits it would seem that no one 

 had yet actually reached it. To arrive thither from Nakitawa, 

 Roccati had to pass through virgin forest without any track, 

 while the Bakonjos cut the way with axes through bamboos, 

 lianas and heaths. There were moraine ridges to cross, through 

 an undergrowth so dense that in many places they actually 

 ^^•alked upon the thickets, on an elastic cushion of branches and 

 twigs several feet deep. Now and again, one of the Bakonjo 

 guides would climb a tree to get his bearings. 



Near to a fillen trunk they found traces of an old camp 

 fire, a bit of newspaper and a sardine tin, no doubtful sign of 

 the passage of a preceding explorer, possibly Dr. Wollaston or 

 some otiier meml)er of the British Museum Expedition. From 

 this point they reached the lakelet in one hoin\ It is plainly 

 a glacial lake, oval in shape, and running from south-east to 

 north-west, with steep shores and surrounded by a narrow strip 

 of mud. beyond wliich the deep water begins at once. There 

 was fog round about, and complete silence, with no sign of 

 animal life. Dr. Boccati collected plants and zoological 



263 



