CHAEACTER OF THE VEGETATION. 265 



Domi was still on our left, while to the right Khor Chuki, 

 though a good way off, could be distinguished by the fringe 

 of trees along its banks. We presently crossed it, and could 

 see that the gigantic blocks bordering its bed had been sculp- 

 tured by the water, and not been brought down by floods. 

 An extensive view from the next hill gave an opportunity of 

 taking the bearings of the previously unknown mountains and 

 mountain groups in the Shuli district, which we were about to 

 enter. Jebel Namo, lying in the district of Fadot, was very 

 imposing. A rapid ascent over hilly country, overgrown with 

 very high grass, brought us to a rivulet, where we expected to 

 find water ; but it was quite dry, and digging procured only a 

 little coffee-brown, bad-smelling liquid. A little farther on 

 we found a pool of rain-water, which, to judge by its colour 

 and taste, must have been used by elephants and buffaloes for 

 toilet purposes ; but our thirst had been unquenched for six 

 hours, in a temperature of 33° C. in the shade, so we were not 

 very particular. 



The country was entirely uninhabited, and the grass so high 

 that it was difficult even to use the compass, especially as the 

 path turned and twisted every moment. Where woods inter- 

 vened, they were fairly uniform — acacias, Kigelias, and num- 

 bers of Sarcocephalus caught the eye, and the tamarinds were 

 particularly fine and numerous. As a rule, the country from 

 Lado to beyond 3° K lat. presents the same grey mono- 

 tonous green, the same stiff leather-like foliage, interrupted 

 only at the Ichors by a more succulent verdure and some 

 variety of species. Towards the south the vegetation assumes 

 a different and more cheerful character. As regards the 

 animals of this region, lions, leopards, and hyasnas alarmed 

 us every night, and the cheetah is particularly common. 

 Buffaloes, elephants, and various kinds of antelopes (the com- 

 monest being Antilope oreas) abound. On account of the high 

 grass, we could only hear the birds. A large species of python 

 is frequently met with at the Ichors. 



Daring a slight thundershower, we reached the Shuli village 

 of Fanto, and were soon busily engaged in building our huts. 

 Taught by experience, I have long since discarded the incon- 

 venient practice of carrying a tent about with me ; every wood 



