1919] shorn, The Congo Expedition xxiii 



been stored at Medje for three years, and on July 25 I met Mr. Chapin 

 again near Avakubi. After vacating our base there we left the Ituri 

 district on September 9, passed down the Aruwimi to Banalia by native 

 canoe, proceeded thence by land to Bengamisa, and descended the Lindi 

 River to Stanleyville. We arrived at the last-named place on September 

 30, after an absence of five years in regions where steam whistles, tele- 

 graphs, telephones, and motors were unknown, although Stanleyville, 

 1200 miles inland, was connected with Europe and the Cape by wireless, 

 and under normal conditions steamers of 500 tons arrived every fort- 

 night. We had traveled about 15,000 miles on foot without accident or 

 sickness, although the unhealthy condition of the country caused the 

 government to reduce the term for resident officials from three to two 

 years. 



"Mr. Chapin left Stanleyville for America on December 10, 1914 

 with the first large shipment of collections, and, passing through Liver- 

 pool and London, reached New York on March 31, 1915. I followed in 

 May with the last of the fifty-four tons of material, but at Matadi 

 marine transportation had been interrupted by the war, and not until 

 late in August were all of the collections safely on their way to America. 

 This delay gave an opportunity for a fruitful exploration of the Congo 

 estuary, especially in the neighborhood of Zambi, Malela, Banana and 

 St. Antonio. Leaving Banana for St. Paul de Loanda on September 14, 

 I sailed for New York, via Lisbon, arriving November 12, 1915, after 

 an absence of six years and a half. 



" It is interesting to note that by 1909, the first year of the Congo 

 Expedition, the Congo Free State had become a Belgian Colony and 

 King Albert I, at that time heir to the throne and interested in the 

 aspirations and welfare of his people, made a tour of inspection through 

 the Congo Basin. At Stanleyville, September 1909, the Museum's 

 expedition received important advice from various members of the royal 

 advance party, headed by the Minister of Colonies, Jules Renkin. At 

 Brussels, and throughout the Expeditions' travels in Africa, invaluable 

 information and other assistance were given by the following Belgian 

 dignitaries and officials: Prince Albert de Ligne (Attache); Felix 

 Fuchs, L. Henry (Governors General); M. Malfeyt, A. Lantonnois, A. 

 De Meulemeester, L. Moulaert (Vice-governors) ; Ed. Keryyn (Director 

 General); H. Droogmans, Mau. Van Damme (Colonial Secretaries); 

 G. Bertrand, Ch. Delhaise, Mau. Siffer, E. Verdick (Commissioners); 

 Ch. Smets (Judge); Dr. Van Campenhout, Dr. E. Etienne, and Dr. J. 

 Rodhain. 



