BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA. 289 



with trees ; in fact, most of the plateau is covered 

 by isolated trees, not quite thick enough to form a 

 regular forest. Fine large timber only exists (e.g., 

 at Kituta) in the valleys near the lakes or narrow 

 ravines. I took a fortnight in crossing over this 

 plateau, which is usually from 4,000 to 5,400 feet 

 high (Appendix). It is, of course, the Congo and 

 Zambesi watershed, and is extremely healthy. 

 Cattle thrive everywhere, and wheat can be grown 

 in any quantity. Mr. Carson, at Fuambo, amongst 

 other kindnesses, gave me some excellent straw- 

 berries and cream ; and I think it may be con- 

 sidered quite certain that this watershed plateau, 

 which seems to extend southwards and a little 

 west through the Awemba and Angoni country, is 

 a district which will be of great importance. 

 Europeans would be able to live at any point in it 

 above 5,000 feet, and by growing wheat and rais- 

 ing and training cattle, should be able even now to 

 make a comfortable livelihood. The demand for 

 these articles will almost certainly increase rapidly 

 during the next few years. 



When one descends from the plateau to the 

 wide alluvial plains of Lake Nyassa the difference 

 in climate is very marked. In fact the whole of 

 these alluvials, wdiich begin at Nyassa and accom- 

 pany the Shire and Zambesi to the sea, are 

 distinctly unhealthy and dangerous. Their level 

 appears to be 1,700 feet at this point. We may 

 say that the unhealthy part of the country is 



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