28 THE GAME OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA. 



recorded come from the highlands, there seems to be at present no definite proof 

 that this result is actually the case. Elephants inhabit both some of the coldest 

 parts of the country, viz., the mountain tops, 13,000ft. above sea level, and some 

 of the hottest, viz., the coast line. I do not know if the skin of the former is any 

 thicker than that of the latter, but temperature appears to have a decided influence 

 on the tusks, for, whereas the highland ivory is close-grained and of good quality, 

 that of the coast is poor and generally small. As the hair-producing power of the 

 elephant is chiefly exercised in the production of his tusks, this is only the result one 

 would expect from the difference of climate. 



The effect of cold on the horns of buck and antelope does not appear to be as 

 definite. Here it is possible that some quality in the grazing may be the cause 

 of increasing the size of the horns, but even this theory does not seem quite 

 satisfactory. It is not clear, for instance, why the horns of the East African 

 impala should be so superior to those of the Central African, while, on the other 

 hand, the horns of the East African eland are inferior to those of his Central African 

 congener. In each of these cases there is a sub-specific difference between the 

 animals of either country. 



Again, in the province of Ankole, in Uganda, the cattle grow the most excep- 

 tional horns, and the buffalo are also noted for the size of theirs, while other game 

 in the same district have smaller horns than the average. On the Semfliki River 

 and on the west side of Lake Albert the waterbuck are noted for the tremendous 

 size of their horns, while in East Africa they are usually small. 



Climatic differences also are responsible for changes in the habits of animals. 

 To take an instance : it is a most uncommon thing in most parts of Africa to 

 find a lion out after seven o'clock in the morning. In the cold highlands of East 

 Africa, however, and especially on cloudy days, these animals may be seen out much 

 later, and sometimes even at midday. 



(ii.) Pasturage and Food and Water Supply. 



The grazing over the greater part of the uplands of East Africa is extraordinarily 

 rich and abundant. Moreover, there is no lengthy period of dry season as in other 

 parts of Africa. In the highlands the rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the 

 year. There are the yearly rains and the lesser rains, and there is never any long 

 period during which there is no rain whatever. The dew also is very heavy. 



Very different is the state of things in many other parts of the continent, where 

 there are only the yearly rains and then no further fall till the next year. In 

 Nyasaland and North- Eastern Rhodesia the rains fall heavily for from four to six 



