WATER SUPPLIES IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN.

—-+4+— INTRODUCTORY.

Rain is the source of practically all the water in the Anglo Egyptian Sudan. In fact it is probable that the country does not contain any supplies from terrestial sources that cannot eventually be traced to rain. The most remote from the direct influence of local rainfall are hot springs such as occur in Halfa and Mongalla Provinces.

Apart from the direct dependence of the water on the rainfall its local value is also principally dependent on the same factor. The supplies are of value in proportion as the country is fertile. In the desert, the water may support oases with limited areas of vegetation. It is where the rainfall is enough to ensure crops and grazing that water may be most needed to enable man and animals to fully enjoy the fruits of the earth. For these reasons, attention is first directed to the rainfall and the observations which supply the statistics.