264 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



by dry and bare grass, but usually there are 

 banana groves fringing the crest of the ridge. The 

 women have to descend 1,000 feet to fetch water 

 and return three or four times a day. In many 

 places, and especially towards the Kiriba chain, 

 the ridges are covered with an endless series of 

 banana groves and plantations of millet. 



On rising to a height of over 6,000 feet, one 

 finds that the plantations are chiefly of beans 

 (Maharagwi) and it is here that one sees herds of 

 the big-horned cattle which these people seem to 

 have brought from Abyssinia. The country has 

 all the appearance (i.e., between 6,000 and 7,300 

 feet altitude) of being well adapted to cattle and 

 sheep. 



The forest on the Uruudi or eastern side of the 

 Kiriba chain has been nearly all cut down and is 

 only found almost on the summit. On the western 

 or Tanganyika side, however, it is very dense, and 

 covers most of the flanks (see chap. xvi.). 



My journey through this country was the most 

 dangerous and difficult attempt that I have ever 

 undertaken. 



At first the people were not unfriendly, though 

 suspicious, and entirely refusing to tell me the road 

 or sell me food. They did not know the name of 

 Tanganyika until I had gone four days' journey 

 by compass towards it. Then they described it as 

 " Kule Tanganyika." During the first few days, 

 however, while passing through the countries of 



