12 DUFILE TO MKULI. 



a long chain which, with few breaks, extends towards the 

 lake. 



The river is frequently broken by huge rocks belonging to 

 a transverse reef, and motionless herons sit enthroned upon 

 them. Enormous fringes of vegetation block the access to the 

 river. Papyrus, Herminiera, and Arundo form the gigantic 

 growth of these impassable masses ; Cucurbitaceae and Ipoma3as 

 twine themselves in festoons from plant to plant ; Yossia 

 composes the underwood ; and Pistia, Potamogeton, Vallisneria, 

 Ottelia, and other small aquatic plants form a thick turf on 

 the edges. Numberless swarms of small Fringillidge, golden 

 black-browed weavers, find here retreats where they are never 

 disturbed. In shady spots stands the Scopus umbretta, in deep 

 meditation, with its bill resting on its breast. A panting 

 hippopotamus plunges into the blue spray-crowned waves, 

 leaving its shady resting-place at the noise of the steamer. 

 Blue-green snakes cross the water with uplifted heads, and 

 the pretty Parra africana hastens over the broad leaves of 

 the water-lily, picking up a few snails by the way. After 

 a violent thunderstorm had added still further variety to the 

 scene, we anchored, late in the evening, to the high and easily 

 accessible clayey bank at Bora. 



No sooner was the steam- whistle sounded than the tall grass 

 started into life. Negroes made their appearance from all sides, 

 with pieces of firewood in their hands, to barter with the 

 captain for a few beads. During this business, which took 

 place amidst joking and laughter, I paid a visit to the little 

 village of Bora, situated at the foot of the hill at ten minutes' 

 distance from the bank of the river. The way led through 

 fairly tall grass past Doleb palms and tamarinds. Mola, the 

 chief of the Madi who inhabit the village — this being their most 

 southerly limit — received me in a friendly way, and offered for 

 barter eggs, fowls, and fruit of the Doleb palm. The village is 

 small, and consists of rather miserable, hemispherical, straw huts, 

 and numerous granaries standing on three legs and resembling 

 the gugas of the Bari. They contain eleusine corn of light 

 yellowish colour, evidently a variety of a corn that I have only 

 seen reddish brown before. There are banana plantations, but 

 unfortunately no fruit ; and sesame is largely cultivated. All 



