CHAP. I.] 
BAER EL OAZAL. 
33 
has the appearance of a lake about three miles in 
length, by one in width, varying according to seasons. 
Although bank full, there is no stream whatever from 
the Bahr el Gazal, and it has the appearance of a back¬ 
water formed by the Nile. The water being clear and 
perfectly dead, a stranger w r ould imagine it to be an 
overflow of the Nile, were the existence of the Bahr el 
G-azal unknown. 
The Bahr el Gazal extends due west from this point 
for a great distance, the entire river being a system 
of marshes, stagnant water overgrown by rushes, and 
ambatch wood, through which a channel has to be 
cleared to permit the passage of a boat. Little or no 
water can descend to the Nile from this river, otherwise 
there would be some trifling current at the embouchure. 
The Nile has a stream of about a mile and a half per 
hour, as it sweeps suddenly round the angle,- changing 
its downward course from north to east. The breadth 
in this spot does not exceed 130 yards ; but it is im¬ 
possible to determine the actual width of the river, as 
its extent is concealed by reeds with which the country 
is entirely covered to the horizon. 
The White Nile having an upward course of west 
10° north, variation of compass 10° west, from the 
Sobat to the Bahr el Gazal junction, now turns ab¬ 
ruptly to south 10° east. From native accounts there 
is a great extent of lake country at this point. The 
general appearance of the country denotes a vast flat, 
with slight depressions; these form extensive lakes 
during the wet season, and sodden marshes during the 
dry weather; thus contradictory accounts of the country 
may be given by travellers according to the seasons at 
which they examined it. There is nothing to denote 
large permanent lakes; vast masses of water plants 
and vegetation requiring both a wet and dry season, 
exist throughout; but there are no great tracts of deep 
water. The lake at the Bahr el Gazal entrance is 
from seven to nine feet deep, by soundings in various 
places. Anchored the little squadron, as I wait here 
D 
