118 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



the main road. On the Albert Edward, com- 

 munication by water (preferably steam launches or 

 small steamers and barges) could convey goods to 

 any point on the lake or Rui samba, and probably 

 up the Durro, and perhaps the Yeria, to some 

 spot not 40 miles away from the more important 

 valleys. 



This is an extremely important point for many 

 reasons. First, the rich and valuable valleys on 

 the east side of Ruwenzori (speaking from personal 

 knowledge only) are the Nyamwamba, the Mubuku, 

 the Wimi, and the Yeria. The way to the latter 

 lies through the very valuable Butanuka district 

 which is only distant 30 miles from the Albert 

 Edward. The rich district about Butindi and 

 Kasagama's is about a day's march farther on from 

 Butanuka, but I should consider the best road 

 would probably lie along the Msonje river, leaving 

 Butanuka on the left. It is possible that goods 

 could be conveyed by the Mpango to a point not 

 far from Kasagama's, but this is a matter on which 

 I cannot speak. By the route I suggest, one could 

 convey a large body of men, even Europeans, from 

 the Albert Edward to the Albert without much 

 difficulty. Embarking on the Albert Edward, they 

 could probably reach Kaihura's in one day, where 

 a large depot of beans, cattle, and poultry could 

 be got together; from there they could proceed on 

 do the highest navigable point of the Durro and 

 Yeria, where a similar depot could be established 



