FIRST SIGHT OF THE ALBERT LAKE. 307 hour across the northern extremity of the Lake we turned into the river proper (the Victoria Nile), and noticed that the current divides at one of the islands, part flowing in a northerly direction, and part diverging to the south-south-west, into the Lake. For this cause Magungo has removed from its old site, as the water is gradually washing away the land at the north-east corner of the Lake, and in consequence the station became so damp and unhealthy as to make a move absolutely necessary. This alteration in the position of Magungo has a connection with the vexed question as to whether or no the Albert Lake is to be regarded as one of the sources of the Nile. This is a matter of such interest and importance that I may be pardoned if I make a digression at this point.

When Dr. Livingstone discovered Lake Tanganyika, he found at no great distance from it a large river. He was unable to trace it to its source, but conjectured that it was the Nile, and that it flowed out of Lake Tanganyika.

Speke was at this time in these parts, and being informed by some missionaries that, according to native report, there was a lake in the centre, he made an excursion as far as Kagei, and then first saw the Victoria Nyanza.

Eeturning to England, he soon organised a regular expedition for discovering the source of the Nile, and started with Colonel Grant from the south, and prox2