The Eastern Congo 



Insect life is not over-abundant anywhere in close 

 proximity to the volcanoes, but the Bugoie Forest is fairly 

 rich entomologically. However, owing to the continual 

 cold mists which rise from the lake and collect on the 

 mountain forests, it is not so rich as one is led to expect from 

 the wealth of plant life. 



Animal life in general, including the fish fauna, may be 

 said to be nowhere over-abundant in the region of Lake 

 Kivu. The crocodile, for instance, that terror of African 

 waters, is entirely absent from the lake, so bathing can be 

 indulged in with impunity, a great boon to all and sundry. 



It will also come as a surprise to many that there are 

 now two hippos in the lake ; these came across for the first 

 time, apparently from the Ruchuru River. 



As no remarks on a district can be said to be complete 

 without viewing it from an economic standpoint, I will say 

 this much : that to simple souls it has all that this old world 

 has to offer, excepting the social life and accessibility from 

 the outer world. When a railway reaches Lake Kivu, there 

 will be a rush for it ; more's the pity ! 



Here amongst the polite and simple Belgians and the un- 

 spoilt Watusi and Wahutu, is a great opportunity for the 

 would-be settler (and his wife !). An, as yet, unknown 

 paradise awaits him, where a man may still find happiness, 

 that " Pearl of Great Price." 



At present there is such an over-abundance of everything 

 that living is ridiculously cheap. For thirty francs a month 

 the local chiefs will supply a man with all he wants of meat, 

 milk, butter and vegetables. 



At the native markets can be obtained at absurdly cheap 

 prices : beef, mutton, pork, chickens, fish, eggs, fruits and 



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