KHOR ASUA. 263 



mica were visible here and there. Numerous butterflies flew 

 out of the trees, and we very frequently heard the Scliizwrhis 

 zonura. The road again ascended, and the mountain of Domi 

 became our landmark. The country before us was entirely 

 uninhabited, but, on that account, the more frequented by 

 herds of elephants and buffaloes, and the presence of still more 

 dangerous company was indicated by the numerous spoors of 

 lions on our path. Shortly after noon our road approached 

 Mount Domi, but as it soon took a more easterly direction, 

 the mountain was left on our right. Our path afforded us 

 an occasional glimpse of the mountain peaks on the west of 

 the Nile. We reached at last the Madi settlement, Agudze, 

 where a part of the population of Farshile has established 

 itself in three strong zcribas. A heavy storm broke over 

 us here. 



As we were informed late in the evening that guides were 

 awaiting us at a village lying a little farther to the south, we 

 marched to that place next morning. The road took us down- 

 hill and across Khor Kulukeu, on the banks of which were 

 scattered numerous boulders, but we could not find a drop of 

 water. After another steep descent, we gained Khor Asua, 

 but soon left its sandy bed on our right. There seemed to be 

 very little water ; broad sandbanks and numerous granite 

 boulders were visible. From this point the khor flows past 

 Jebel Domi, which lies on its right bank, and it receives the 

 waters of the Atappi before it enters the Nile. Linant's route 

 lies farther to the west. The village of Ocliri, to which we 

 were bound, was recognisable at some distance, from a pile of 

 rocks and a magnificent tamarind. Millions of green hairy 

 caterpillars unfortunately rendered the shade of the trees un- 

 comfortable. In order to reach Khor Asua, we had now to 

 return along the old road, and then to turn a little more to 

 the west, when we soon arrived at the bed of the river, which 

 is here exactly eighty-eight feet broad and three feet deep. 

 It had not rained for a long time ; in fact, very little rain has 

 fallen, during the Icharif this year, which may account for 

 the river looking so insignificant. Banks of yellow coarse 

 quartz sand bordered the stream in places, and large boulders 

 were still more frequent. The banks were six to eight feet 



