140 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
tlie clean and well-washed pebbles, borne upward into 
tiny lines and heaps by the restless surf. A search 
amongst these would reveal to us the material of the 
mountain heaps which rose behind and on our right and 
left ; there was schist, conglomerate sandstone, a hard 
white clay, an ochreish clay containing much iron, 
polished quartz, &c. Looking out of our tent, we could 
see a line on each side of us of thick tall reeds, which 
form something like a hedge between the beach and the 
cultivated area around Niasanga. Among birds seen 
here, the most noted were the merry wagtails, which 
are regarded as good omens and messengers of peace by 
the natives, and any harm done unto them is quickly 
resented, and is fineable. Except to the mischievously 
inclined, they offer no inducement to commit violence. 
On landing, they flew to meet us, balancing themselves 
in the air in front, within easy reach of our hands. 
The other birds were crows, turtle-doves, fish-hawks, 
kingfishers, ibis nigra and ibis religiosa, flocks of 
whydah birds, geese, darters, paddy birds, kites, and 
eagles. 
At this place the Doctor suffered from dysentery — it 
is his only weak point, he says ; and, as I afterwards 
found, it is a frequent complaint with him. Whatever 
disturbed his mind, or any irregularity in eating, was 
sure to end in an attack of dysentery, which had lately 
become of a chronic character. 
The third day of our journey on the Tanganika 
brought us to Zassi River and village, after a four hours’ 
pull. Along the line of road the mountains rose 2,000 
and 2,500 feet above the waters of the lake. I imagined 
the scenery getting more picturesque and animated at 
every step, and thought it by far lovelier than anything 
seen near Lake George or on the Hudson. The cosy 
nooks at the head of the many small bays constitute 
most admirable pictures, filled in as they are with the 
ever-beautiful feathery palms and broad green plantain 
fronds. These nooks have all been taken possession of 
by fishermen, and their conically beehive-shaped huts 
always peep from under the frondage. The shores are 
