156 THE REGION OF THE BARlrfl 



of the hillocks are of gneiss formation. The group 

 of conspicuous rocky hills surrounding Nyasuma 

 and Maevi are extremely rugged, terminating in 

 a range of glistening white gneiss grits. These 

 present a most fascinating appearance, many of 

 the rocks, doubtless in process of upheaval, having 

 been tilted out of their positions and projected 

 into a series of curves at angles of fully 60°. 

 Bold anticlinal outlines are presented by others, 

 whilst anon one is confronted by the positions 

 of other rocks for which it were idle indeed to 

 attempt to account. 



That the greater portion of the Barud, partaking 

 of the general characteristics exhibited by sur- 

 rounding areas, is mineralised in greater or lesser 

 degree does not, to my mind, admit of doubt. 

 Unfortunately its comparative inaccessibility ren- 

 ders the task of the prospector more difficult than 

 it would be in adjoining territories, whilst the 

 serious want of water in some of the districts would 

 naturally constitute a disadvantage which any 

 future mining industry would find it extremely 

 difficult to surmount. Still the singularly liberal 

 character of the mining regulations, of which a 

 digest is appended to this chapter, gives one reason 

 to hope that means may be found to exploit those 

 parts of the district which hold out the greatest 

 prospect of future importance. 



Taken as a whole, the extensive and beautiful 

 region we are considering is one in which, if we 

 except the aridity of the central and north-western 

 portions, it can be said that there are no really 

 harsh or desert-like expanses. It is true, as I have 



