66 MEULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYORO. 



the course of twenty-four hours. The curious phenomenon of 

 partial rains occurs sometimes ; for instance, it poured in 

 torrents at Kabrega's house, while my dwelling entirely escaped, 

 although situated at hardly ten minutes' distance. The highest 

 temperature recorded by me (79.7° Fahr.) occurred on the 

 20th of October. 



On one occasion I observed a very beautiful after- glow. 

 The clear flashing beams of light, varying in intensity at 

 intervals, and having their bases situated on the western 

 horizon, stretched like an arch towards the zenith, flashing up 

 only to die away continually. After perfect darkness had set 

 in, this sheen continued, until at length, about three-quarters 

 of an hour after sunset, it finally faded away. The sky was 

 lightly clouded in the west, but, notwithstanding this, the 

 beams of light were quite resplendent. This after-glow is said 

 to occur here very frequently. 



As soon as the new moon becomes visible she is greeted by 

 the firing of guns. Horns and flutes form a lively, if not very 

 harmonious, concert, the musicians marching up and down, 

 either upon their heels or only upon their toes, bending at the 

 same time their bodies backwards and forwards. Kabr6ga him- 

 self is at this time occupied in preparing his magic powders, 

 his amulets and talismans, and no doubt also dabbles a little in 

 the art of divination, as is the custom with all Wahiima chiefs 

 during the first few days of the new moon. 



Early on the 9th of October, in celebration of the feast of 

 Ramadan-Bairam (Id ezzuraiyar), Kabr^ga sent me a present 

 of an ox. As, for a wonder, the weather permitted me to get 

 about, I climbed the towering mountain which was near our 

 camp. A footpath, well worn by the herds, leads up to the 

 highest peak, the base of which is hidden by grass and reeds 

 and many mimosas. The soil here consists of reddish grey 

 vegetable mould, under which there is a layer of brown humus 

 two feet thick, having underneath it sharp-edged quartz frag- 

 ments. The ascent from here is very difficult, in many places 

 hardly possible except by crawling. So steep indeed, is the 

 side of the mountain that only here and there a tree with willow- 

 like leaves is able to take root. Short turf covers the thin 

 layer of earth, which is bedded upon granite, except in some 



