332 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



Let us now take the African Lakes Route : — 



The first 200 miles is the alluvial basin of the 

 Zambesi and Shire. Both coal and alluvial gold 

 have been reported. There are probably at least 

 ninety Europeans now at work. A large sugar 

 factory is working successfully, and, though the 

 climate is not healthy, it is probable that cotton, 

 coffee, cocoa, and tobacco may be grown success- 

 fully. The most essential point is that steamer 

 traffic now pays so well that there are at least two, 

 and possibly three, rival companies. 



The proposed railway (120 miles) across the 

 Shire highlands is going to be built simply for 

 local traffic by a syndicate chiefly of Glasgow 

 merchants. It is not necessary to say anything 

 more. 



The next section, from Matope to Karongas at 

 the north end of Nyassa, is about 400 miles long. 



There are about nine steamers on this section 

 which appear to pay. 



There are the two large missionary societies, 

 Universities, and Free Church of Scotland. There 

 is also a German Government station and many 

 British Central African posts. The Europeans 

 may be eighty in number. 



The next 240 miles across the Stevenson Road 

 passes through a very new country. It may be 

 declared positively that it is very healthy, and 

 produces cattle, wheat, and strawberries. There 

 may be thirty Europeans in the various mission 



