14 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



perhaps due in part to the presence of the vast 

 series of basaltic floes and volcanic material which 

 one finds at various places along the Masai high- 

 lands. 



The whole structure of the country is, in fact, 

 a series of gigantic steps from the coast to the 

 summit of the Nandi range, or one might say to 

 Elgon. 



Elgdi 



Kikuyu 

 Mat&diakas 



Fig. 4. — Forest and Wind. 



There is first the ascent to Mazera village, 

 which is fertile and densely wooded, then a 

 much gentler gradual rise to Nzowi (about 3,050 

 feet), which is covered by the thorn-trees and 

 succulents characteristic of a dry climate. 



Nzowi, to the beginning of the Athi plains at 

 Languru, forms another steep ascent, probably 



