262 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
XX 
the changes which have brought a particular park-land 
into existence. 
The euphorbias also play a great part in the produc¬ 
tion of these park- lands, for these plants arise from seed 
conveyed by birds : under the shadow of the euphorbia, 
plants and grass flourish and in this way get a footing 
on the land. In time individual patches increase in size 
and coalesce until the whole flat is covered with euphor¬ 
bias, grass, and trees. 
Many parts of the British East Africa Protectorate 
are covered with dense forests which have never been 
thoroughly explored. In the Kikuyu country, when 
the natives wish to extend their “ shambas,” as the 
cultivated tracts are called, they set fire to the grass. 
Such fires do not simply destroy the grass, but the 
bushes and young trees, as well as those of moderate 
growth. In consequence of this thoughtless destruction 
the Wa-Kikuyu are already suffering badly, for in many 
districts the women upon whom the duty devolves of 
obtaining wood often make long journeys, sometimes 
four and five miles, in order to obtain a supply of fire¬ 
wood. 
The trains on the Uganda Railway and the steamers 
on the Victoria Nyanza use wood as fuel. At the 
present time there is no sign of diminution in the 
supply, but when the enormous quantity required for 
this purpose is kept in mind, it is clear that steps 
should be taken to supply the waste by judicious 
planting. 
The Kigelia is a curious tree, and one sure t(» attract 
the travellers attention. -It is found everywhere in 
Eastern Ethiopia. It is a big tree with bark of a cold 
stone-grey, and its leaves are similar to those of a 
walnut. The flowers are tulip-like, reddish-purple 
or yellow, and grow on pendants from two to six 
feet in length. The seed vessels hang on the long 
stalks and are one to two feet in length ; they have 
rounded ends and are as big as German sausages. In- 
