442 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH. 



which is at present completely cut off from all connexion with 

 them, are the Babukur, and they too are also found here in 

 the south, under the name of Mayanga. But excuse this 

 digression ; it was my intention to describe to you my journey, 

 and I drift into hypotheses ! My learned colleague and friend, 

 Dr. Junker, who has worked here for so long, will treat of all 

 this far better than I can ever do. 



At every step which I took from the Ivibali to the south, 

 my admiration of the country increased, and the glorious 

 vegetation perfectly enchanted me. I was very glad, there- 

 fore, to stay for a few days in Bellima, Gambari's head- 

 quarters, before proceeding to the south. Many changes have 

 taken place since you visited Monbuttu, and now any one 

 wishing to study the people and their customs must leave the 

 beaten paths and seek out more remote parts of the country 

 than Kubi or Tingazi. One thing, however, no misery, no 

 misgovernment, has been able to overcloud, and that is the 

 magnificence of Nature, its sublime woods and " galleries." How 

 often, as I have wandered under these high domes, has the 

 beautiful old song occurred to me, " Wer hat dich, du griiner 

 Wald, aufgebaut so hoch da oben ? " 



I have taken all possible trouble to utilise to the utmost 

 extent my few days' stay in this place, and have, of course, 

 managed to procure a few seeds and " curios " for you. Owing 

 to want of paper, it has been simply impossible to collect 

 plants. The last steamer brought me only a very few news- 

 papers, which I had to use in packing bird-skins, &c. ; but do 

 not be disappointed ; you shall, notwithstanding, have some 

 plants from here. I have very often seen the kola nut here, 

 and have collected some of the thick banana-like fruits which 

 contain the seeds. The people use the latter as a cure for 

 hemorrhage. I am afraid that those I sent you will not grow, 

 for I could not obtain any perfectly ripe ones. Another seed 

 is found in this country which is so like that of the kola nut 

 that it is quite possible to mistake it. It has, however, a 

 sharp taste, sharper than the strongest onion, and it produces 

 extreme intoxication if eaten. The Monbuttu call these seeds 

 envamu, and the great chiefs use them exclusively as an article 

 of luxury. A kind of nutmeg is also very common. It grows 



