Chap. XIII. kirk's range. 351 



us afterwards, when we could not discover a particular 

 peak mentioned to us formerly as Molomo-ao-koku, or 

 Cock's-bill, to call the whole chain from the west of the 

 Cataracts up to the north end of the Lake, " Kirk's 

 Kange." The part we slept at opposite Mvai was named 

 Paudio, and was evidently a continuation of the district of 

 one of our stations on the Shire, at which observations for 

 latitude were formerly taken. 



Leaving Paudio, we had Kirk's Eange close on our left 

 and at least 3000 feet above us, and probably not less 

 than 5000 feet above the sea. Far to our right extended 

 a long green wooded country rising gradually up to a 

 ridge, ornamented with several detached mountains, 

 which bounded the Shire Valley. In front, northwards, 

 lay a valley as rich and lovely as we ever saw anywhere, 

 terminating at the mountains, which, stretched away 

 some thirty miles beyond our range of vision and ended 

 at Cape Maclear. The groups of trees had never been 

 subjected to the landscape gardener's art ; but had been 

 cut down mercilessly, just as suited the convenience of the 

 cultivator ; yet the various combinations of open forest, 

 sloping woodland, grassy lawns, and massive clumps of 

 dark green foliage along the running streams, formed as 

 beautiful a landscape as could be seen on the Thames. 

 This valley is named Goa or Gova, and as we moved 

 through it we found that what was smooth to the eye was 

 very much furrowed by running streams winding round 

 innumerable knolls. These little brooklets came down 

 from the range on our left, and the water was deliciously 

 cool. 



When we came abreast of the peak Chirobve, the 

 people would no longer give us guides. They were afraid 

 of their enemies, whose dwellings we now had on our east; 

 and, proceeding without any one to lead us, or to introduce 

 us to the inhabitants, we were perplexed by all the paths 



