R. B. WOOSNAM — ITINEEAET. 13 



VALLEYS VISITED. 



The valleys visited by the expedition were the Mubuku and Luimi (Wirai) on the 

 east side; a smaller valley, the Muhokya (Mokia), near the south end; and the 

 Biitagu on the west side. From the last-named we were obliged to beat a hasty 

 retreat immediately after entering it. The Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Butagu, Russirubi, 

 and Luimi are the largest and most important valleys of the range, although there are 

 of course numerous smaller ones. Of these five large valleys, only the first four lead 

 directly to the snow. 



The streams flowing from the higher parts of Ruwenzori are all cold and clear, very 

 slightly tinged with brown from the bogs in the higher valleys, and carry many little 

 specks of glittering mica. On the plains at the foot of the mountains, where they 

 cease to be foaming torrents, they resemble the most perfect trout-streams an angler 

 coidd desire ; and if trout were turned into them they might prove to be so in reality, 

 for they contain an abundance of food and a plentiful supply of cool water. 



The smaller streams are not so clear and carry large quantities of fine sand and 

 mica in suspension. In the Luimi Valley there are hot springs rising actually in the 

 bed of the river at an altitude of 6000 feet. Where they bubble up the water is 

 almost boiling and there is a strong smell of sulphur, the rocks being thickly coated 

 with a bright brick-red deposit of iron. There are also hot springs at the north end 

 of the range, and the natives have great faith in them for curing all manner of diseases 

 and wounds. 



In the Mubuku Valley there is a beautiful waterfall at 10,000 feet, and in the 

 Luimi Valley there is also a small fall at about 7000 feet, but it is insignificant in 

 comparison with the Mubuku fall. In the Mubuku Valley between two of the snow- 

 covered ridges, at about 14,200 feet, there is a pass, named the Freshfield Pass by 

 H.E.H. the Duke of the Abruzzi. This would enable natives and animals to move 

 from one side of the mountains to the other, but being far above the forest, almost on 

 the limit of vegetation, it is never used. The natives prefer one at an altitude of about 

 10,000 feet, which crosses the ridge a little to the north of the Luimi Valley. Several 

 small streams from the north end unite at the foot of the mountains and form the 

 Mpanga River, Avhich flows southwards and flnds its way into Lake George (Ruisamba). 



DIVISIONS OF RUWENZORI. 

 For the purpose of describing the distribution and range of the mammals and birds 

 of Ruwenzori, the mountain may be divided into the following zones of vegetation 

 running concentrically round the ridge in belts, which can be most clearly shown in a 

 diagram (text-fig. 2, p. 15.). The boundaries of these zones on the west side are not so 

 well defined as on the east and come lower down. This may be accounted for partly 

 by the more humid climate on the west side and partly by the cloud-bank which 

 intervenes before the sun has reached the western slopes. 



