1893.] Geography and Travel. 255 
Senecio. The plateau west of Lake Albert is known as Lendu. He 
reports a considerable shrinkage of the waters of the Albert Nyanza 
since it was first discovered, so that islands have become peninsulas. 
M. Crampel and his party was set upon by Snoussi and his fanatical 
Arabs, who killed all the whites, asserting that they had no business in 
the country, but did not hurt the Senegalis who composed his escort. 
M. Nebout, who was coming up, carried back the sad news, and the 
fate of Crampel was avenged by M. Dybovski, who entered the country 
with a considerable force. 
On the Mobangi, Captain Van Gele has “forged the last link ” 
between that river and the Welle, which is thus definitely included 
in the Congo basin. 
The Kong Mountains of the maps have been found to have no actual 
existence, proving to be but an elevated watershed. 
The Italians are endeavoring to explore Somaliland, but some of 
their I h t been st Captain B. de Vesme, 
however, passed from Berbera by Harrar, over the waterless plains 
of Milmil to the rivers Kishen and Amaden, and then to the upper 
course of the Webbe. 
p + oases 
America.—Tar ECUADORIAN AnpEs.—Dr. Wolf, who has devo- 
ted much time to the study of the Andes of Ecuador, describes them 
as consisting of two ranges, connected at intervals by cross chains, and 
thus enclosing basins. The eastern cordillera is as a whole more prom- 
inent, geologically older, and of greater average height than the west- 
ern, the rocks of which are much more heterogeneous, while its elevation 
exhibit greater diversity and irregularity. A porphyritic cross ridge 
at the mountain knot of Acayana and Guagrauina has much gold- 
bearing quartz, and isthe richest mining district of the country. From 
this the eastern cordillera continues onward, broad and lofty, into the- 
province of Cuenca, with a wide bend, and a second cross ridge of por- 
phyry forms the knots of Portete and Tinajillas. The lofty basin of 
‘Cuenca is one of the most beautiful in the Andes, and the chief town 
is situated at an altitude of 8460 feet. North of there is the irregular 
mountain mass of Azuay, which sends spurs in every direction, two of 
which reach the western cordillera. Beyond this the eastern cordillera 
becomes of greater extent, and rises into the gigantic volcanoes of 
Sangay (17,880 feet), the most active volcano in the world, Altar, or 
Collares (17,710 feet), and Tunguragua, (16,696 feet). Opposite to 
these, on the western cordillera, rises the still loftier Chimborazo 
(20,660 feet). Here commences a third cordillera, parallel with and 
