MOMBASA TO KIKUYU. 15 



originally a dense jungle, but now largely culti- 

 vated and yielding abundant crops. 



The wind then sweeps over the Athi plains, 

 which are grassy steppes without trees, until it 

 meets the steep ascent before Kikuyu ; from this 

 point a dense unbroken forest probably stretched 

 to the second swamp beyond Kikuyu station, 

 but a large part of this is now the endless 

 cultivated shambas of the Wakikuyu. 



From the second swamp at Kikuyu to the begin- 

 ning of the further ascent at Raomi of the Mau 

 hills, there is again a grassy steppe region. From 

 Kaomi (6,965 feet) to the Mau summit is another 

 thick forest, after which the wind has free play, 

 and a rolling grass country dotted with scattered 

 trees reaches to the foot of Elgon, where there 

 begins a fresh belt of forest at about 7,000 feet. 

 Those curious in such matters will find that 

 Darwin, in the " Yoyage of the Beagle," has 

 pointed out the essentials of the foregoing 

 theory, viz., that an atmosphere kept constantly 

 moist, e.g., by a cloud, is essential to the forma- 

 tion of forest. 



The little valley at Nzowi, with its running 

 water and numerous affable, if lightly-clad, natives, 

 is a great relief after the desolate thorns, and one 

 soon finds oneself at the first European station, 

 Machakos. 



Mr. Ains worth, who has been several years at 

 this place and is very much at home amongst 



