Description. 113 The character of the country is very varied. In former days large stretches of cultivation alternated with bush, forest, park-like meadow land, swamps, bamboo, jangle, &a, but the slave trade rained much of the agricultural prosperity. Occasionally, low hills to the north-east of Bongo Land vary the scenery.

To the north-west of Bongo Land rocky country is met with, swampy depressions and forests of Termalia, also many open plains and plateaus.

In passing westward from the north-west of Bongo Land, through the Golo country towards Dem Zubehr (Dem Suliman), a notable change takes place in the character of the country. Immediately after passing the Pango River, the soft, absorbent soil of the lower steppes, where water is only found in the streams during the Jcherif, is succeeded by a country rich in springs, and very similar to the Niam-Niam hills.

In the Jur and Bongo lands, which are on the edge of Jur counfy. the red swamp ore, there are no springs, but only such water as is left by the rains in the various khors and depressions.

The country gradually rises up to the station Zubehr, which is 2,282 feet above the sea, and 737 feet higher than Jur Ghattas.

Dem Zubehr, on the Bili River, was visited in December, r>cm 1894, by a Belgian, M. Colmant. He found it to consist Zubchr -of 50 or 60 fine, yellow-grey brick buildings, of considerable height, covering about 1 ,000 yards square. It was, of course, in a ruinous state and uninhabited, bat it produced on him the effect of " une grande ville europeenne, mais de singulier aspect." Lemon trees, cactus, streams, and much vegetation in the neighbourhood. When this country was handed over by the Belgians to the French in 1895, and the Marchand expedition wras formed, M. Liotard proceeded to Dem Zubehr as advanced party, and was there the greater part of 1896 and 1897. During this time he devoted his energies partly to cultivating the surrounding: district.

The place lies 12 days' march from Jur Ghattas (Meshra es Rek lies five days beyond Jur Ghattas). Much game in district. Roads lead hence to Liffi, Shakka, and'Kordofan. From Dem Zubehr westwards towards Dem Gudyu, (386) i