Through Ruanda to Lake Kiwu 73 
white or silvery rose-coloured immortelles (Helichrysum). We 
only found withered stems of lobelia, and the peculiar leaf- 
rosettes of the young plants, which were not then in bloom. We 
were compensated in a small way by finding some heather strewn 
over with rose-coloured blossoms {E. mgegensis Engl.). 
“ The brooks themselves were adorned with a species of 
Alchemilla {Rumex Steudelii Hockst.) and the graceful Hyperi¬ 
cum lanceolatum with extraordinarily fine foliage and large yellow 
flowers, and here and there were to be seen picturesquely and 
irregularly ramified stocks of Hagenia abyssinica^ the Abyssinian 
Kosso tree, which with its pinnate leaves is reminiscent of the 
so-called ‘Tanners’ Sumac.’ 
“ Unfortunately we were only privileged to remain one week in 
the Rukarara camp. Our stock of provisions, for white men and 
carriers alike, was seriously diminishing. It is true that we might 
have sent for a further supply from Ischangi, but that would have 
meant prolonging our stay to such an extent that the general 
plan of the expedition would have been upset. You may imagine 
what it means to the collector to have to leave so soon a mountain 
forest which belongs to the richest, most luxuriant, and fertile 
forest regions in all Tropical Africa. Certainly our hearts were 
not brimming over with joy when on the 23rd of August we bade 
farewell to a place that had become so dear to us. In spite of 
that, however, our botanical finds were very satisfactory, and the 
forest trees were especially well represented (by various material) 
in our collection. This was only rendered possible by my having 
botanised ‘with telescope and rifle.’ From the paths in the 
forest or from some elevated standpoint I would range along the 
crowns, aided by a good prism glass, and when a rich-bloomed 
but somewhat sparsely branched bough was found, I would let 
fire. I used nickel-coated, lead-nosed bullets of the calibre of 
the military rifle. In favourable cases the bough came away 
after two or, perhaps, three shots; but when, although broken, 
it still hung by a few shreds of fibre to the trunk, the expendi¬ 
ture of ammunition was considerable, and the marksman fell 
into mild despair. In any case, it was the only way possible 
K 
