9 3 DUFILE TO FATIKO. 



6. From Dufile to Fatiko. 

 [December 27, 1878, to January 8, 1879.) 



THE NILE AT DUFILE" — CHARACTER OF THE SCENERY — CULTIVATED PLANTS 

 — GORGE OF IGERI — RECEPTION AT FALORO — STAY AT NEW FALORO — 

 HUT-BUILDING OF THE MADI — CULTIVATION — VOTIVE PILLARS WITH 

 SKULLS OF ANIMALS — ABSENCE OF MONKEYS — THE AVIFAUNA OF 

 FALORO — DRESS AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MADI — SINGU- 

 LAR CUSTOM — RESPECT FOR WOMEN — FLORA ON THE KHOR SIRI — NEW 

 SITE OF FABO — VEGETATION AT FATIKO— RESTORATION OF THE 

 CHIEF, ROCHAMA. 



In the Mohammedan world it is the universal custom, if a 

 journey be absolutely necessary on a Friday, not to set out 

 until the midday prayer is ended. Accordingly, we lost the 

 cool morning hours, and had instead the pleasure of embark- 

 ing in a temperature 97° Fahr. to gain the eastern bank of 

 the river. The river was for the time of year (December 27, 

 1878) extraordinarily high, doubtless owing to the damming 

 back of the water which was caused by the obstruction that had 

 occurred in the north. The eastern bank, which falls steeply to 

 the river, was covered with water far and wide, and the numer- 

 ous stately doleb palms, with multitudes of geese and other 

 waterfowl, and here and there a stately yabirus (Mycteria sene- 

 galensis) fishing among them in the shallow water, presented a 

 lively, pretty picture, the enjoyment of which was only dis- 

 turbed by the lowing of the cow, as she swam with all her 

 strength, fastened by a rope to the stern of our boat. 



An extensive plain, now covered with dry grass, extends 

 northwards and southwards from the water's edge ; the 

 doleb palms give place to isolated sycamores and mimosas, 

 which are stunted owing to the constant fires ; here and there 

 for a considerable distance the stiff grey clay soil, mixed with 

 patches of fine whitish yellow sand, lies bare. While on the 

 right, the soft outline of the hills of Lero" runs parallel to 

 the route, on the left, at the distance of a few miles, a line of 

 woods is visible, above which rise three or four isolated domes. 

 Towards the south the land rises by gentle undulations. The 



