Chap. XXXVIII. HERBAGE — TROPICAL RAINS. 3 
It is stated in my memoranda, that on the 5th 
of August I paid twelve rotl for a "kela kajimbe," 
or large bundle of dry grass ; an enormous price in 
this country, and sufficient to maintain a whole family 
for several days ; but that was the most unfavourable 
moment, for in a few days fresh herbage sprang up 
and made good all deficiencies. While speaking on 
this subject, I may also mention, that the herbage of 
Kiikawa, being full of " ngibbi," or Pennisetum dis- 
tichum, horses brought from other countries generally 
fare but badly on it, as they are reluctant to fill their 
mouths with its small prickles. 
Eain was very plentiful this year, 1851, and I am 
sure would, if measured, have far exceeded the quan- 
tity found b}^ Mr. Yogel in 1854. Indeed, there were 
twelve very considerable falls of rain during the month 
of August alone, which together probably exceeded 
thirty inches. It must be borne in mind, moreover, 
that the fall of rain in Kiikawa does not constitute 
the rule for the region, but is quite exceptional, 
owing to the entire absence of trees and of heights in 
the neighbourhood. Hence, the statement of Mr. 
Yogel in one of his letters*, that the line of tropical 
rains only begins south of Kukawa, must be under- 
stood with some reserve ; for if he had measured 
the rain in the woody country north of that capital, 
between Dawerghu and Kaliluwa, he would, in my 
* Published in Journal of the R. Geogr. Soc. vol. xxv., 1855, 
p. 241. 
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