THE SALT LAKE AND SEMLIKI VALLEY. 133 



Food has a very great deal to do with character 

 in savage races. 



Now, it is above all things essential that a 

 resident European should be in the best possible 

 condition, both of body and temper, and therefore 

 the Salt lake should not be chosen as a perma- 

 nent post. 



On leaving to proceed round the western side 

 of the mountain, one first crosses a broad cold 

 river, the Nyamgassu, and then over a grassy 

 alluvial plain to one of the outlying hills, 

 xAmbambe. The young chief was here most 

 princely, and I had the pleasure of a good 

 night's sleep. 



Passing over a hilly and well-watered and 

 cultivated district, we climbed a ridge or spur, 

 on which Karimi is situated. This spot com- 

 mands a lovely view up the Semliki valley and 

 back over the plains to the Halt lake, which is 

 within two days' easy marching. Looking south, 

 the remains of an old volcano are seen, close to 

 which is the shore of the Albert Edward Nyanza. 

 The natives told me they could see a naming 

 mountain from this point, and by looking at the 

 map it will be seen that this must be obviously 

 Kissigali, belonging to the Mfumbiro chain. 



Towards the mountain there seem to be many 

 villages and banana plantations which are, how- 

 ever, carefully concealed from the view of passing 

 strangers. 



