268 Wanderings in Eastern Africa, 
me that the white substance of the Kenia produces 
continually a quantity of water which descends the 
mountain and forms a large lake, from which the river 
Dana takes its rise." Admitting the existence of the 
snow-mountain Kegnia, and there can be no doubt 
of it, what can be more natural than the Doctors 
supposition ? After the large rains in May or June 
the Tana does not overflow its banks ; but in the hot 
season, and soon after it has commenced, the blazing 
sun melts the snow-cap of the Kegnia, from which 
the water rushes, and produces the phenomenon 
that on the coast creates such surprise. This, 
with our present knowledge, is certainly the most 
reasonable conclusion. I look upon the Tana as 
a most important river, likely to be of great ad- 
vantage to the missionary and the merchant. It 
is to be regretted that its mouth is rendered impass- 
able to large vessels by an awkward bar lying across 
it, but notwithstanding this inconvenience the river 
will probably become at some future day a busy 
highway of civilizing and christianizing traffic. It is 
the natural road to many important peoples. The 
Wapokomo occupy its banks, and on either side of 
the Wapokomo are the Gallas. In the interior, 
beyond the Gallas, are the Wakamba, Wakikuyu, 
Wandurobo, Wakuavi, and Masai. Doubtless the ex- 
ploration of the river would make us acquainted with 
many other peoples — for instance, the cannibals of 
whom the Wapokomo speak ; and to all the Tana 
affords easy and expeditious access. The Wapo- 
komo, a civil and harmless people, seem to have 
been placed on its banks with their daus (canoes) on 
purpose to carry the missionary and merchant from 
