CHAPTER VI. 
The Congo in 1863. 
In 1863 Sir Richard Burton made a journey up the 
Congo to the lower cataracts, known as the Yellala Falls, 
and his account of what he saw of a river that has since 
become so famous, will be of interest. Here is a picture 
A VIEW ON THE CONGO. 
of life at Banza Nokki, a well-known town on the lower 
river : — 
I was now duly established with my books and 
instruments at Nkaye, and the inevitable delay was 
employed in studying the country and the people, and 
in making a botanical collection. But the season was 
wholly unpropitious. A naval officer, who was con- 
sidered an authority upon the Coast, had advised me to 
travel in September, when a journey should never begin 
later than May. The vegetation was feeling the effect 
of the Cacimbo ; most of the perennials were in seed, 
