The Ruwcnzori Mountains 



As one's gaze took in the comparatively easy ascent of 

 the snow-capped summits from this quarter, it struck one 

 as curious that the scahng and exploration of the great peaks 

 had always been undertaken from the east side of the range, 

 for without doubt no great difficulties present themselves, 

 from where I stood, to an expedition equipped with the barest 

 necessities for a short alpine climb. 



Insect life in these charming solitudes was fairly abundant, 

 but much to my disappointment not a single butterfly graced 

 the scene. Birds too were conspicuous by their absence, 

 with the one handsome exception of pairs, male and female, 

 of the beautiful long-tailed and long-beaked Ncdarina 

 johnstonii, feeding on the lobelia flowers. Neither eagles nor 

 hawks were to be seen, although, judging by their small 

 burrows, a small rodent was common. I had hoped to come 

 across some of the large flowering proteas similar to those 

 found on Kilimanjaro but saw none ; otherwise there was 

 a mine of interest for the botanist. 



The afternoon being now well advanced, to my great 

 regret I had to think about returning to the Big Tent camp 

 if I was to reach it before dark. If I had had more food for 

 my men nothing would have given me greater delight than 

 to spend a week in exploring these unknown solitudes, but 

 as it was, not only the food question but the special ento- 

 mological work on which I was engaged would not admit 

 of a longer stay and I had, therefore, reluctantly and with 

 many a backward look to turn my steps downhill. As I 

 and my four followers commenced the descent, the ominous 

 growlings of distant thunder made themselves heard, and 

 the sky being now overcast it behoved us to hurry on if 

 we were to reach the lower camp before the storm broke. 



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