A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA 



CHAPTER I. 



MOMBASA TO KIKUYU. 



fTlHE idea of going to Africa again suddenly 

 -*" occurred to me after a long conversation on 

 African Floras. I came to the conclusion that 

 if I entered the continent by the Zambesi and 

 went up via Tanganyika to Ruwenzori and thence 

 by Uganda to Mombasa, I should be able to solve 

 the question of botanical areas which on this side 

 of Africa had often puzzled me. 



I sent in my application to the Royal Society, 

 and to my great surprise it was granted. The 

 accompanying proviso, that I should start from 

 Mombasa, put me in a great difficulty, since it 

 involved engaging Suahilis for the whole journey, 

 and thereby at least doubling my expenses ; but 

 as the Committee were very kind in giving me the 

 money (a grant of £700), without any limit of time, 

 I determined to go. 



