22 FROM MAGUNGO TO HKULI. 



A march, of four hours took us to Masindi, where Baker 

 lived. On the way we crossed over two Ichors choke-full of 

 papyrus and thick black mud. Here for the first time we 

 met with the " gallery " woods described by Schweinfurth. 

 Trees towering to the skies and hidden beneath lianas and 

 creepers of every kind entwined into airy festoons ; delicate 

 date shrubs and trees ; an abundance of low underwood, among 

 which is the pretty leaved acanthus ; entada, with its long 

 chequered fruits — all pervaded by a cool deep shade — an 

 enchanting picture. We crossed the ridge of another hill with 

 broad slabs of gneiss and mica schist, and another little khov, 

 and arrived at a small clearing, in the midst of which a 

 colossal sycamore afforded us welcome shade. It was here 

 that Baker erected his house, and often probably he enjoyed 

 its shade as we did now. All view was shut out by high 

 grass. Around the tree were numerous deserted fireplaces, 

 and a giraffe skull was fastened to the trunk, showing that this 

 spot is a kind of holy place. Once more we went up hill 

 and down dale, across small khors decorated with beautiful 

 high fan-shaped ferns, and then a short march brought us to 

 Londu, our farthest outpost in the enemy's country. Our 

 old friends welcomed us heartily ; it was with them that we 

 first pushed forward here last year. They live here shut 

 off from the world, and not too comfortably either, for now 

 and then sharp skirmishes take place around the strong- 

 stockades, where not long ago Kabrega's life-guard, the far- 

 famed Banassura, held their orgies. I was detained here 

 for several days by a considerable amount of official business, 

 on account of' which, and also of the present insecurity of 

 this district, my stay was unfruitful as far as my collections 

 were concerned. 



Londu is situated upon a high hill. My observations 

 with both aneroid and boiling-point thermometer indicated a 

 height of about 3900 feet, which corresponds very well with 

 the height which Baker gives for Masindi. The hill, falling 

 steeply in the west and south, permits an extensive view over 

 lofty hills and extensive woods, and on the horizon there appear 

 several high blue mountains. The Luri mountains, on the 

 western shore of the Albert Lake, are also clearly seen, and 



