Chap. V. UPPER SHIRE VALLEY. 107 



hours gained the upper terrace, 3000 feet above the level of 

 the sea. The plateau lies west of the Milanje Mountains, and 

 its north-eastern border sloj)es down to Lake Shirwa. We 

 Avere all charmed with the splendid country, and looked with 

 never-failing delight on its fertile plains, its numerous hills, 

 and majestic mountains. In some of the passes we saw 

 bramble-berries growing; and the many other flowers, 

 though of great beauty, did not remind us of youth and 

 of home like the ungainly thorny bramble-bushes. We 

 were a week in crossing the highlands in a northerly 

 direction ; then we descended into the Upper Shire Valley, 

 which is nearly 1200 feet above the level of the sea. This 

 valley is wonderfully fertile, and supports a large population. 

 After leaving the somewhat flat-topped southern portion, the 

 most prominent mountain of the Zomba range is Njongone, 

 which has a fine stream running past its northern base. We 

 were detained at the end of the chain some days by one of 

 our companions being laid up with fever. One night we 

 were suddenly aroused by buffaloes rushing close by the 

 sick-bed. We were encamped by a wood on the border of 

 a marsh, but our patient soon recovered, notwithstanding 

 the unfavourable situation, and the poor accommodation. 



The Manganja country is delightfully well watered. The 

 clear, cool, gushing streams are very numerous. Once 

 we passed seven fine brooks and a spring in a single hour, 

 and this, too, near the close of the dry season. Mount 

 Zomba, which is twenty miles long, and from 7000 to 8000 

 feet high, has a beautiful stream flowing through a verdant 

 valley on its summit, and running away down into Lake 

 Shirwa. The highlands are well wooded, and many trees, 

 admirable for their height and timber, grow on the various 

 watercourses. " Is this country good for cattle ? " we inquired 



