CHAP. IX.] 
EXCELLENT SPECIES OF GOURD. 
389 
me at Obbo, and have died in inaction, instead of 
wearing out upon the road. Had I been able to start 
direct from Gondokoro, as I had intended, my animals 
would have delivered me in Kamrasi’s country before 
the arrival of the heavy rains. 
“ There is an excellent species of gourd in Obbo ; 
it is pear-shaped, about ten inches long, and seven in 
diameter, with a white skin, and warts upon the surface ; 
this is the most delicate and the best-flavoured that I 
have ever eaten. 
“ There are two varieties of castor-oil plant in this 
country—one with a purple stem and bright red veins 
in the leaves, that is remarkably handsome. Also a 
wild plantain, with a crimson stem to the leaf; this 
does not grow to the height of the common plantain, 
but is simply a plume of leaves springing from the 
ground without a parent stem.” 
“ Aug. 30 th. —Mrs. Baker and I made a morning 
call for the first time upon old Katchiba by his express 
desire. His courtyard was cemented and clean, about 
a hundred feet in diameter, surrounded by palisades, 
which were overgrown with gourds and the climbing 
yam, Collololo. There were several large huts in the 
inclosure, belonging to his wives; he received us 
very politely, and begged us to enter his principal 
residence; it was simply arranged, being the usual 
