FROM KIROTO AND MASINDI TO MRULI. 23 



in the mornings a thick layer of fog plainly indicates the 

 situation of the lake. 



Towards the north, the east, and south-east high isolated 

 hills rise up, practically forming defiles which entirely block 

 communication between the east and west. Many fields of 

 sesame, durrah plantations, half withered for want of rain, scat- 

 tered banana groves, and many huts, at present deserted by 

 their inhabitants, indicate a very dense population. Unfor- 

 tunately, it is impossible at present to have any intercourse 

 with the inhabitants. My stay here was not exactly pleasant ; 

 cold, raw days, during which much rain fell (too late in the 

 season, unfortunately, to benefit the harvest), and nights dis- 

 turbed by minute black flies and fleas, a great source of 

 discomfort to the wanderer. 



Although the flea does not exist in the Sudan — I speak of 

 the Egyptian Sudan — and is only met with as a curiosity 

 introduced from Egypt, it is, as I only too well remember, 

 very abundant in Uganda. I was obliged during my residence 

 there last year to have the floors of the houses cleared of 

 the layer of hay covering them and washed, before it was 

 possible to live in them. 



I had the pleasure of a most interesting visit from an inde- 

 pendent chief named Kiza, who had heard in some way of my 

 arrival, and came to see me. He gave me a great number of 

 valuable notes about the country and people, habits and customs, 

 and after receiving some suitable presents he parted from me 

 highly satisfied. From Londu. to Kisiiga is only a short march 

 of 3£- hours. After passing the steep hilly descent, at the 

 base of which there remains a little rain-water, the way leads 

 continually up and down over very hilly country, in an almost 

 always easterly direction, through high grass interspersed by 

 many trees. Many glades are seen, in which tree-like Solanea3 

 grow luxuriantly with orange-red and yellow fruits ; they 

 point to former cultivation, as do many bananas and deserted 

 hearths. On the slope of the hill I found the second specimen 

 of the beautiful lily already mentioned. Entada, eriodendron, 

 combretum, ficus, sterculia, spathodea, covered with blossoms ; 

 mimosas forming real shrubberies, and graceful date palms 

 wherever a small swamp occurs at the foot of a hill ; the 



