204 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOUENALS. [Chap. VIII. 



about eighteen or twenty miles broad, and we could see 

 about thirty miles up to the north. Four considerable 

 rivers flow into the space before us. The nearly per- 

 pendicular ridge of about 2000 feet extends with breaks 

 all around, and there, embosomed in tree-covered rocks, re- 

 poses the Lake peacefully in the huge cup -shaped cavity. 



I never saw anything so still and peaceful as it lies all 

 the morning. About noon a gentle breeze springs up, and 

 causes the waves to assume a bluish tinge. Several rocky 

 islands rise in the eastern end, which are inhabited by 

 fishermen, who capture abundance of fine large fish, of which 

 they enumerate about twenty-four species. In the north it 

 seems to narrow into a gateway, but the people are miserably 

 deficient in geographical knowledge, and can tell us nothing 

 about it. They suspect us, and we cannot get information, 

 or indeed much of anything else. I feel deeply thankful 

 at having got so far. I am excessively weak — cannot walk 

 without tottering, and have constant singing in the head, 

 but the Highest will lead me further. 



Lat. of the spot we touched at first, 2nd April, 1867. 

 Lat. 8° 46' 54" S., long. 31° 57'; but I only worked 

 out (and my head is out of order) one set of observations. 

 Height above level of the sea over 2800 feet, by boiling- 

 point thermometers and barometer. The people won't let 

 me sound the Lake. 



After being a fortnight at this Lake it still appears one 

 of surpassing loveliness. Its peacefulness is remarkable, 

 though at times it is said to be lashed up by storms. It 

 lies in a deep basin whose sides are nearly perpendicular, but 

 covered well with trees ; the rocks which appear are bright 

 red argillaceous schist ; the trees at present all green : 

 down some of these rocks come beautiful cascades, and 

 buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes wander and graze on the 

 more level spots, while lions roar by night. The level place 

 below is not two miles from the perpendicular. The village 



