THE ZUI-ZUIE 73 



taining forest trees of great variety and of fine 

 development, among them appearing numbers of 

 the cotton trees (Kapok) which we noted at 

 Shupanga, and gigantic, rounded, copper-foUaged 

 khayas. Some of the latter are fully seventy feet 

 high, and their crown of foliage is as round as a 

 globe. Arrived at the Zui-Zuie, we proceed in 

 large boats to cross the river, having traversed 

 a distance of no less than twenty-eight kilometres 

 in a little over three hours. We now set foot in 

 the old settlement of Muterara, where the Zambezia 

 Company possesses another fine station. Built 

 upon an eminence about a hundred feet above the 

 river, it consists of an old, fortified, Portuguese 

 house, now the official residence of the courteous 

 and capable agent, Senhor Magalhaes. The house, 

 which is of whitewashed stone, with immensely 

 thick walls, has in front a strongly protected pateo, 

 or courtyard, loopholed for musketry on the 

 western side, the only one on which it could be 

 approached. The east side of the house descends 

 precipitously to the level of the river below, and com- 

 mands the most magnificent views. It overlooks the 

 confluence of the Zui-Zuie and Zambezi, here so 

 wide as to appear more like a large lake than a river, 

 whilst over the island of Inyangoma across the 

 water, rising from a biUowy confusion of beautiful 

 mountain peaks, quaintly formed Pinda and 

 gigantic tree- covered Morambala look down from 

 their majestic four or five thousand feet, dwarfing 

 the remainder of the fairly tall assemblage of 

 mountains and foothills surrounding them. To 

 the north-east, the Zui-Zuie threads its way like 



