228 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



Zambesi, sometimes called Cuama and Luabo, which is, at least, three quarters 

 of a mile broad at the mouth of the Mutu, should be left to roll on to the ocean 

 unused. It divides, it is true, below that into six or seven branches ; but two 

 of these named, near the sea, Melambe and Catrina, present comparatively 

 safe harbours at their mouths and free passage into the interior for large 

 launches during the entire year. These harbours are not more insalubrious 

 than Kilimane and Senna. 



" With respect to Kilimane, one could scarcely have found a more man- 

 killing spot than it. The village is placed on a large mudbank, so moist that 

 water is found by digging two feet deep, and it is surrounded by mango-bushes 

 and marsh. The walls of the houses, too, sink gradually, so as to jam the 

 doors against the floors. That the subject of securing a better harbour for the 

 commerce of the magnificent country drained by the Zambesi merits the 

 attention of the Portuguese Government, as interested in its prosperity, a 

 glance at the articles which might be exported to a great amount will sufficiently 

 show. 



" Coal. — The disturbances effected by the eruptive rocks in the grey 

 sandstone have brought many seams of coal to the surface. There are no fewer 

 than nine of these in the country adjacent to Tete, and I came upon two before 

 reaching that point. One seam in the rivulet Muatise is 58 inches in diameter; 

 another is exposed in the Morongoze, which, as well as the Muatize, falls into 

 the Revubue, and that joins the Zambesi from the north about two miles below 

 Tete. The Revubue is navigable for canoes during the whole year, and but 

 for a small rapid in it, near the points of junction with these rivulets, canoes 

 might be loaded at the seams themselves. Some of the rocks have been ejected 

 in a hot state since the deposition of the coal, for it is seen in some spots 

 converted into coke, and about ten miles above Tete there is a hot fountain 

 emitting abundance of acrid steam ; the water at the point of emergence is 

 158° Fahr., and when the thermometer is held in it half a minute it shows 

 steadily 160° When frogs or fish leap into it from the rivulet in which it is 

 situated, they become cooked, and the surrounding stones were much too hot 

 for the bare feet of my companions. 



" The remarks about the absence of any tradition of earthquakes in my 

 last letter must be understood in reference to the country between the ridges 

 alone, for I find that shocks have frequently been felt in the country of the 

 Riaravi, and also at Mozambique, but all have been of short duration, and 

 appeared to pass from east to west. 



" Iron. — In addition to coal, we have iron of excellent quality in many 

 parts of the country. It seems to have been well roasted in the operations of 

 nature, for it occurs in tears or rounded masses, admitting of easy excavation 

 with pointed sticks, and it shows veins of the pure metal in its substance. 

 When smelted it closely resembles the best Swedish iron in colour and tough- 



