304 DR. A. GUNTHER ON REPTILES AND FISHES. [June 28, 
and still more met with in the Nyassa Lake, that to them they 
were unknown. Without claiming for the negro any exalted place, 
still it cannot be denied that in such points as come under his daily 
observation, particularly as concerns his food, he is very accurate 
and discriminating. 
“The knowledge possessed of wild game by the hunters of the 
desert is well known; and the different tribes depending on the pro- 
duce of the waters are equally well acquainted with their inhabitants. 
‘By the Murchison Rapids, which break the River Shire in its 
upper third, the water of Lake Nyassa descends from its own level 
(1522 feet) nearly to that of the sea. The rapids are between forty 
and fifty miles in length, the greater part of the descent being effected 
at six or seven points, between which are minor rapids and smooth 
reaches crossed by canoes. 
“The fishes of the lake are almost all of species peculiar; and a full 
collection of dried skins of those observed was made, excepting of 
the Siluroids, which, being large, incompressible, and oily, are pecu- 
liarly objectionable where portage is limited. 
‘«* Having passed the navigable part of the Shire above the Mur- - 
chison Rapids and entered the Nyassa Lake in south lat. 14° 25’, an 
inland sea opened to us, lying nearly north and south, overhung by 
mountains on either side, which, as we sailed north, closed, and at 
last formed steep cliffs, against which the heavy swell dashed as on 
the sea-shore. The western side, which was the one followed, pre- 
sented a variety of rocky headlands jutting out, sandy coves, and 
long flat beaches. Many good anchorages and sheltered harbours 
exist, which one day may be turned to account. At various parts the 
sounding-line was cast; but only at the southern end, where the Shire 
flows off, or very near shore was bottom found, the remainder being 
of the pale milky blue of tropical seas. In such parts, with 35 fa- 
thoms no soundings were obtained; and near the north, where, at 
a mile off shore, 115 fathoms were given out, a like negative result 
followed. The distance due north explored by us amounted to 200 
nautical miles ; there it became necessary to turn, leaving the end 
unknown. ‘Yet we have reasons for considering that we were not 
many days from reaching the furthest end, which may be expected 
to be in the tenth degree of south latitude, and distant from the 
known part of the Tanganyika Lake 400 miles. 
_ ©The width of the Nyassa is not commensurate with its length, 
but varies from fifteen to sixty miles. At the narrow points it is crossed 
by native canoes; but at one of these the voyage is broken, and the 
night spent, on the large inhabited island of Chisomoro. Fed by the 
streams coming from neighbouring mountains, the level of the Nyassa 
rises during the floods 3 feet. No streams of any size were seen en- 
tering on the west, while the narrowness of the mountain chain on 
the east does not admit of any large supply from that side; so that 
should a river enter from the north, there will still be no more entering 
than may be accounted for by evaporation and the exit of the Shire. 
“The native tribes on the shores are numerous, and in no other 
part was so dense a population seen ; they are engaged in the slave- 
