1867.] LAKE MOEEO. THE " MONDE" FISH.- 243 



of coarse sand, and slope gradually down to the water : out- 

 side these banks stands a thick belt of tropical vegetation, 

 in which fishermen build their huts. The country called 

 Eua lies on the west, and is seen as a lofty range of dark 

 mountains : another range of less height, but more broken, 

 stands along the eastern shore, and in it lies the path to 

 Casembe. We slept in a fisherman's hut on the north 

 shore. They brought a large fish, called " monde," for sale ; 

 it has a slimy skin, and no scales, a large head, with ten- 

 taculee like the Siluridse, and large eyes : the great gums 

 in its mouth have a brush-like surface, like a whale's in 

 miniature : it is said to eat small fish. A bony spine rises 

 on its back (I suppose for defence), which is 2J inches long, 

 and as thick as a quill. They are very retentive of life. 



The northern shore has a fine sweep like an unbent bow, 

 and round the western end flows the water that makes the 

 river Lualaba, which, before it enters Moero, is the Luapula, 

 and that again (if the most intelligent reports speak true) is 

 the Chambeze before it enters Lake Beniba, or Bangweolo. 



We came along the north shore till we reached the 

 eastern flanking range, then ascended and turned south, 

 the people very suspicious, shutting their gates as we drew 

 near. We were alone, and only nine persons in all, but 

 they must have had reason for fear. One headman refused 

 us admission, then sent after us, saying that the man who 

 had refused admission was not the chief: he had come 

 from a distance, and had just arrived. It being better to 

 appear friendly than otherwise, we went back, and were 

 well entertained. Provisions were given when we went 

 away. Flies abound, and are very troublesome ; they seem 

 to be attracted by the great numbers of fish caught. The 

 people here are Babemba, but beyond the river Kalongosi 

 they are all Balunda. 



A trade in salt is carried on from different salt springs 

 and salt mud to Lunda and elsewhere. We meet parties of 



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