E. B. WOOSNAM— ITINEEAET. 21 



E. The Senecio- and Lobelia-Zone (12,500 to 14,500 feet). 



At an altitude of about 12,500 ft. the tree-heaths almost disappear and senecios 

 and lobelias, which appeared at a lower level, are the most prominent feature 

 of the vegetation. Lobelia decJcenii is found abundantly in the level swamps up to 

 13,000 ft., and L. stuhlmanni, which appeared first at 10,000 ft, is replaced at 

 12,000 ft. by L. wollastoni, which flourishes on the mountain-slopes up to 14,000 ft. 

 In the level places the ground is a swamp covered by moss, rushes [Luzula 

 johnstoni), and lobelias. On the slopes bushes of helichrysum grow amongst the 

 lobelias, and beneath the moss is black mud a foot or more in depth. 



Two Shrews [Crocidura fumosa month and Sylvisorex lunaris) were caught on the 

 swampy ground below the glacier, near the source of the Mubuku, at an altitude of 

 about 12,800 ft., and a small animal, probably one of these Shrews, was seen at an 

 altitude of 14,200 ft. 



A few large Fruit-Bats {Eousettus lanosus) inhabited the caves and cliflfs at 12,500 ft., 

 but apparently they did not feed so high up and always flew down the valley in the 

 evening. No other Bats were seen above 10,000 ft. 



Several specimens of a Mouse [Lophuromys aquilus) were caught at about 12,000 ft., 

 and they were plentiful in the swampy ground at 10,000 ft. A few specimens oi Mus 

 dennim were caught in the rock-shelters at 12,500 and 10,000 ft. 



Otomys dartmouthi and Lasymys montanus are extraordinarily numerous in this zone, 

 and their runs were to be seen in all directions through the deep moss ; but in spite of 

 their numbers they were very difficult to catch, for they would take nothing that was 

 off'ered to them as a bait, and the majority of the specimens obtained were caught by 

 traps set in the runs. They appeared to be feeding upon rushes, mosses, and ever- 

 lasting flowers, and refused the fresh beans, cheese, or bread off'ered to them, though a 

 few were caught with a bait of oatmeal. Apparently both these species occur as high 

 as 14,000 ft., as was proved by their numerous runs, but unfortunately none were 

 caught in the traps set at that altitude. 



Leopards wander up to the snow-line, but it is difficult to ascertain whether any 

 live permanently high up on the mountains above 10,000 ft. Certain it is that 

 under one of the numerous overhanging ledges of rock at 12,500 ft. there was a dry 

 shelter in which a Leopard had evidently reared a litter of cubs, but there is still the 

 question of food. Even vsupposing that small antelopes go up to 12,000 ft., though it 

 is unlikely that they are found above 10,000 ft., the highest altitude at which any were 

 seen, there would hardly be suflScient numbers to attract Leopards. In a Leopard's 

 droppings at 12,000 ft. the hoof of a Red Duiker (probably Cejihaloplms nibidus) was 

 found, but the animal was doubtless eaten lower down. Leopards living high up 

 might, of course, become expert in the art of catching Hyrax, and might then acquire 

 a liking for their flesh, and this seems their only possible means of subsistence. 



