XIX THE RIFT VALLEY AND ITS LAKES 249 
white with guano deposited by them. Near this side of 
the lake there is a large mud plain where the flamingoes 
make their nests unmolested by man. The mounds of 
mud which represent their nests appear like innumerable 
mole-hills. 
When these huge flocks of birds are disturbed and 
they get up suddenly out of the shallow guano-laden 
water, the stench is overpowering. 
Lake Rridolf, This lake, which lies at the northern 
end of the Eift Valley, is kidney-shaped and measures 
along the curved axis 185 miles : its greatest width is 
about 35 miles. The altitude of the lake is 1250 feet. 
Although the water is brackish it is drinkable; as its 
salinity is due to soda it can be made palatable and effer¬ 
vescent by the addition of tartaric acid. Liidwdg von 
Hohnel, the scribe of Count Telekhs interesting expedi¬ 
tion which led to the discovery and investigation of this 
lake, describes the great enthusiasm with which the 
thirsty porters rushed to the lake after a terribly trying 
journey and their bitter disappointment at finding the 
water brackish and the districts surrounding the south¬ 
ern end of the lake uninhabited. Subsequently the 
water was found to be drinkable though brackish, and it 
had a peculiar lye-like taste. They then concluded that 
it contained soda, and on pouring tartaric acid into the 
water it effervesced strongly. This improved the taste 
considerably, and it quenched their thirst more quickly 
than fresh water could have done. 
The southern portion of the lake is surrounded by 
high cliffs, and a rugged lava-strewn, bare, and uninha¬ 
bited country. There is also an active volcano. Mount 
Teleki. Like other large lakes it is liable to storms, and 
on such occasions the waves striking on the beach roar 
like the sea. 
Near the south end of the lake there is an island, 
ten miles long, consisting of sixteen extinct vol¬ 
canoes. There are other islets nearing the middle 
of the lake some of which are inhabited. Lake Eudolf 
