Chapter II. 



to the north-east. Tlie vailwav desceiid.s nearly 2,UU0 feet to 

 reach the hottoni of tliis valley, which is about 30 miles wide, 

 and is dotted with tiny volcanoes, some active, others extinct. 

 Lakes and ponds of sweet oi- salt \\ater swarm with every 

 species of aquatic liinl, and the ahuiidant water-courses make 

 this one of the most fertile regions in Africa, as well as one of 

 the most famous hunting groinids. 



After Nairobi the line crosses districts inhabited l)y the 

 Wa-Kikuyu, agricidtural and sedentary tribes ; and by the 

 Masai, nomads and herdsmen, great breeders of cattle and Ixild 

 warriors, who stopped the progress of many an explorer of old. 

 The Masai as a race are finelv proportioned, witli a jnoud, fierce 



OFF RUSIXGA ISLAM). 



mien and rather regular features, except the ears, which are 

 unrecognizable, so deformed are they by absurd and voluminous 

 ornaments. The women wear also heavy long copper spirals 



42 



