TEE TELL ALA OF TEE CONGO. 
119 
natives had assured me that the Cataracts were taller 
than the tallest trees. On the other hand, the plain 
and unadorned narrative of the “ Expedition ” had pre- 
pared me for a second-rate stream bubbling over a 
strong bed. The river here sweeps round from the 
north-west, and bends with a sharp elbow first to the 
south-west and then to the south-east, the length of the 
latter reach being between four and five miles. As far 
as the eye can see, the bed, which narrows from 900 to 
SOME INHABITANTS OF THE CONGO. 
400 and 500 yards, is broken by rocks and reefs. A 
gate at the upper end pours over its lintel a clear but 
dwarf fall, perhaps two feet high. The eastern staple 
rises at first sheer from the waters edge to the estimated 
altitude of a thousand feet — this is the “ Crocodile’s 
Head” which we saw on the last march, and already 
the thin rains are robing its rocky surface with tender 
green. The strata are disposed at angles, varying from 
35 ° to 45°, and three streaks of bright trees denote 
Fiumaras about to be filled. Opposite it is the “ Quoin 
