chap, ix.] DEATH OF THE TRANSPORT ANIMALS. 26$ 
and dew, is the principal cause of disease. The camels, 
horses, and donkeys of the Sondan, all thrive in the 
hot dry air of that country, and are unsuited for this 
damp climate. 
“ Had I been without transport animals, my expedi¬ 
tion could not have left Gondokoro, as there was no< 
possibility of procuring porters. I had always expected 
that my animals would die, but I had hoped they 
would have .carried me to the equator : this they would 
have accomplished during the two months of compara¬ 
tive dry weather following my arrival at Gondokoro, 
had not the mutiny thwarted all my plans, and thrown 
me into the wet season. My animals have delivered 
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 
