20 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
II 
T examined several of these trees in various stages of 
growth and satisfied myself on these points. . In some 
instances, tiie implicated tree seems as if surrounded by 
boa constrictors ; before its life is completely destroyed, 
the branches and leaves of the original tree may be seen 
mingling with those of the destroying parasite. 
The most complete specimen I was able to examine 
stands in the grounds of the French Mission about 
three miles from Nairobi. The figs on these trees, 
though tasteless, are eaten by Masai children, pigeons, 
hornbills and starlings (Hinde). The Masai display 
reverence for this tree and occasionally propitiate it by 
killing a goat beneath it. 
From the Sports Ground the snowy summit of Kili¬ 
manjaro is usually visible in the afternoon; and about 
four o’clock the beautiful snow-clad majestic peak of 
Kenia (17,000 feet), glorified with the colours of sunset, 
appears unveiled above the clouds. 
After leaving Nairobi the railway climbs the slope to 
Kikuyu station (340 miles from Mombasa), passing 
through forests which shelter elephants to Escarpment 
station, and here reaches the edge of the famous Rift 
Valley at an elevation of 7,830 feet above sea-level. 
The train descends the ravine to Kitjabe, which marks 
the limit of the Ukamba Province. Kitjabe means 
“ windy,” and the place is well described by Sir Charles 
Eliot as “ a dusty gusty station.” 
The view of the Rift Valley from the escarpment is 
inexpressibly grand, with the great mass of Longonot 
rising from the floor of the valley. The descent to Kitjabe 
station is fascinating. The line passes across numerous 
viaducts built at a great height above ravines. The 
station is half-way down the descent to the valley, and 
at this point the view is magnificent. Above we see 
the well-wooded hills; below, the slope to Lake 
Naivasha, and beyond is the Mau Escarpment on the 
opposite side of the valley. In the descent from the 
Kikuyu escarpment to the floor of the valley the line 
