DESCRIPTION OF THE FA LIS. 261 



Makalolo at the time of both his visits, was not dis- 

 similar, viz., Mosi-oa-tunya, or "smoke-sounding," 

 from the smoke-like appearance of the columns of 

 spray which rise above the cataract. 



With regard to the other general features of the 

 Falls not referred to above but little remains to be 

 added. Their actual height, as estimated by Living- 

 stone, is about 360 feet from the top of the precipice 

 to the surface of the water in the abyss ; the columns 

 of spray, which are driven upwards by the rush 

 of air from the channel as the water descends into 

 this narrow space, ascending to a height variously 

 estimated by those who have seen them — and no 

 doubt varying with the state of the atmosphere 

 and the volume of water in the river at different 

 times — at from six to eight hundred feet, or some- 

 thing over. These vapour-clouds, visible at a 

 distance of upwards of twenty miles, as distinctly 

 observed by Livingstone, mark the position of the 

 Falls long before the traveller approaches them. 

 Frank Oates, as seen in the preceding chapter, dis- 

 tinguished them at a distance of about eighteen miles, 

 and his followers heard the roaring of the water at 

 that distance, though he was not sure of doing so 

 himself. Chapman, after he had left the Falls, heard 

 them, he relates, " at a distance of fifteen miles on an 

 elevated region in the south." 



Comparing the Falls with those of Niagara, 

 Livingstone points out that they are twice the height 

 of the latter ; whilst, " in the amount of water, 

 Niagara," he says, " probably excels, though not 



