THE THOWA RIVER 
13 
through the dorsal fin, allowing the bait to swim alive for nearly 
an hour. 
They can be caught with a piece of squid by trolling, and 
on taking the bait they rush straight away at a great speed, but 
apparently do not make a good fight. 
They are never seen leaping at sea, and during May they are 
very plentiful and can be caught inside the reef. When the 
north-east monsoon blows they are always found out in the 
ocean. 
Considering that indications of the presence of big Game 
fishes are to be found off Mombasa, I can only hope that some- 
one with sufficient leisure may soon undertake to give the capture 
of them by means of rod and line a fair and exhaustive trial. To 
do this successfully the use of a motor-boat is, in my opinion, 
essential. The local craft of all shapes and sizes are quite un- 
suited for the attempt, except in the inshore waters. The tides 
are comparatively strong, and during the best fishing months, 
December to March, the wind is very fitful and moderate, and 
causes hours of delay in reaching the outside fishing grounds 
where the big fish may be found. 
As regards the question of the preservative I employed, 
and the results in my hands, I refer the reader to page 39 of this 
Journal, where a short article I have written on the subject 
will be found. 
In a later issue I hope to chronicle a list of the fish in my 
collection, coupled with a few individual notes. 
THE THOWA RIVER 
By Arthur M. Champion 
The course of this river had for some years been a subject 
of much dispute, at any rate among those who have had any 
connection with the Kitui district. Opinions varied so widely 
that by some it was held to be in the Tana basin, whilst others 
maintained that it joined the Tiva and eventually flowed into 
the Sabaki. 
