E. B. WOOSNAM — ITINERARY. 9 



which extends on to the lower slopes of the mountains. This part of the Semliki 

 Valley and Ruwenzori is almost unexplored ; but at the time of our visit the tribes 

 dwelling there had rebelled against Congolese authority and we were unable to enter it. 

 There is no doubt that cannibalism is still practised in tliis district, and also by the 

 Baambas on the north-western slopes of Ruwenzori. Between Lake Edward and 

 Fort Beni the Semliki is a shallow sluggish river, but below the Fort, shortly after 

 the river enters the forest, there is a dangerous rapid and probably there are more lower 

 down. It is a noteworthy fact that no crocodiles were seen nor were any traces of 

 them found either in Lake Edward or in the upper part of the Semliki above the 

 rapids, and the natives assert that they do not exist there. In Lake Albert and 

 the lower part of the Semliki crocodiles abound and are always to be seen, as also 

 in Lake Tanganyika and the Congo rivers. It seems very curious that there should be 

 no crocodiles in Lake Edward : the rapids on the Upper Semliki certainly do not 

 explain their absence. 



From the camp at Mokia another move was made round into Congolese territory, 

 with the intention of making a third camp on the west side of the range, in a 

 position corresponding to the first camp in the Mubuku Valley. A suitable camping- 

 place was found in the Butagu Valley at an altitude of a little over 7000 feet ; 

 but, owiijg to the rebellious state of the tribes at the foot of the mountains, it was only 

 occupied for three days. Matters then became so unpleasant that collecting was out 

 of the question and the Expedition was compelled to beat a hasty retreat to Fort 

 Beni, the Congolese Post on the Semliki River. This was a great disappointment, as 

 no systematic collecting had been done in the district which lies on the west side of 

 Ruwenzori between the Butagu Valley and the north end of the range. The Butagu 

 is the largest valley on the west side and leads directly to the snows, but the river has 

 not so great a volume of water as the Mubuku on the east side. From Fort Beni 

 a hurried march was made through the forest to Irumu, on the Eturi River, by an 

 entirely unused road on the west of the Semliki Valley, where no inhabited villages 

 were seen, and where no food for carriers was obtainable for nearly 100 miles. This 

 is probably one of the most uninhabited parts of the whole Eturi Forest, and the 

 number of elephants and buffaloes which frequent it is extraordinary. About 6 or 8 

 miles from Irumu the forest terminates abruptly and its place is taken by an open 

 rolling country of tall grass with patches of forest in the hollows. From Irumu a 

 well-used road was followed back to Fort Portal. Shortly after leaving Irumu, the 

 road passes over low hills which form the watershed of the Nile and Congo rivers and 

 extend along the west bank of the Semliki to the mountains on the west of Lake 

 Edward. Camps were formed for a short time in the Luimi (Wimi) Valley and at the 

 north end of the range. Subsequently the Expedition set out on the return journey 

 to England, travelling through the Congo Forest to Boma on the west coast. At the 

 present day this is an easy journey to make, provided the sanction and assistance of 



VOL. XIX. — PAKT I. No. 2. — October, 1909. c 



