II 
THE UGANDA RAILWAY 
23 
The temperature throughout the journey varies 
within very wide limits. It is a curious and pleasant 
experience to pass from the moist and sticky heat of 
the coast to the dry and agreeable air of the Ukamba 
Province, but it is a surprise to wake up in the early 
morning on the Athi Plain, in the Kikuyu forest, or at 
the Mau Escarpment shivering with cold and to find the 
temperature at, or very little above, the freezing 
point. 
The alterations in the physical and atmospheric 
conditions in the countries traversed by the railway is 
attended with corresponding changes in the characters 
of the trees, shrubs, bushes, and plants. As we leave 
the coast, the tropical vegetation is gradually replaced 
by the prickly acacia and the euphorbia. Around 
Nairobi the landscape is beautified with the calodendron, 
hibiscus, salvia, ficus, and wild coffee. The Kikuyu 
forests abound in junipers, wild olives, brambles, violet||i 
clover, and bracken. Higher still comes the scrub, tile 
prickly bush, and the acacia. In the rains these trees 
are covered with leaves, and are further beautified by 
the convolvulus and other creepers which invade them 
and burst into flower. 
The tribes of men living in the districts traversed by 
the railway are sure to interest travellers. The chief 
of these are Wa-Kikuyu, Masai, Kavirondo, and Nandi. 
In a railway journey through 580 miles of country it 
is probable that examples of all these races will be 
seen. Many come down to watch the train from sheer 
curiosity. Others walk along the footway by the side 
of the line or will be seen engaged in work, or herding 
cattle. Many are as interested in the white passenger 
as the latter is curious about them. Some of the 
natives come to barter or to sell curiosities and 
especially spears. 
Among the various contrivances which civilisation 
has introduced into East Africa, there is probably none 
which the natives find more useful than the kerosene 
