308 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



which might conceivably bring up the coast-line 

 to 1,200 miles. 



Of course this advantage is probably quite 

 realised by every thoughtful person ; but I think 

 few seem to know how entirely overwhelming it 

 is without severe examination of the question. 



Hence it will be seen that the first essential of 

 African transport is to utilise every mile of water- 

 way, wherever that may be found. 



The following are the main African water- 

 ways : — 



The Nile, as far as and including the Albert 

 Nyanza. So far I have not been able to satisfy 

 myself as to the exact length of the Somerset 

 Nile, between Eipon Falls and Fauvera, which is 

 navigable, but probably there is a considerable 

 length of waterway. 



The Kagera river will, as I have attempted to 

 show, probably enable steamers to penetrate to 

 about 50 miles from Lake Tanganyika. The 

 Zambesi and Shire with one break of about 120 

 miles, are actually navigable to within 240 miles 

 of Tanganyika. In fact, from Cairo to the Zam- 

 besi, one could probably proceed by water with 

 only 540 miles of land transport. 



It is absolutely certain to my mind that in 

 the next century this road will be utilised, and 

 I have in spite of repression from every re- 

 cognised authority, tried to induce the British 

 Government to obtain this route, which is 



