6 FROM LADO TO DUFILE. 



caused by the fact that the women perform most of their duties 

 kneeling, and also by their being obliged to crawl into the 

 huts on account of the low doorways. Another thing worth 

 mentioning is the almost invariable disproportion in the 

 development of their breasts, one being much smaller than the 

 other. Umbilical hernia, caused by the navel cord being torn 

 at birth instead of tied, is frequent in both sexes ; hydrocele is 

 often seen ; and elephantiasis scroti is met with here and there. 

 The people try to protect themselves from syphilis, which is 

 very prevalent, by inoculations upon the arm. 



A passable road leads from Kiri to Latiika. The height of 

 Kiri above sea-level is I 567 feet. After two days' rest there, 

 while I awaited the arrival of a young officer who was to 

 accompany me, we entered upon a hilly country, seamed in all 

 directions by rocky ravines. Frequently the path is crossed 

 by ridges of tightly packed stones, apparently radiating from 

 accumulated heaps of rock, and looking as if they were intended 

 to divide the country into definite parts. Here and there, in 

 the midst of high and beautiful trees, Doleb palms are seen, 

 the first met with since leaving Bor. The narrow river, broken 

 by many a rock, foams and roars between the hills, which 

 completely shut out the view of the country beyond. There 

 can be no question of navigation here, and the route as far 

 as Dufile can only be traversed by land. To the east and 

 south lie the blue mountain masses of Kelen and Kuku. The 

 road, which has led over gneiss rubble and white sand, in 

 which fragments of mica were seen, becomes broken shortly 

 before Muggi is reached by many deep rain-furrows and several 

 swamps. A short march brought us to the station of Muggi, 

 which is situated close by roaring rapids, its height above the 

 sea-level being about 1640 feet. Porters having to be changed 

 here, a short sojourn was indispensable, and permitted time for 

 making collections. A good specimen of Uhabdogale mustelina, 

 which is very common here, was brought me. 



Early next morning, as soon as the necessary porters had 

 assembled, and after each had found his load — our porters, 

 you must know, are very capricious — the formidable file was 

 set in motion. The first part of our way led over level 

 ground, with here and there a few boulders. Then followed 



