66 MRULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYORO.

the course of twenty-four hours. The curious phenomenon of partial rains occurs sometimes; for instance, it poured in torrents at Kabréga’s house, while my dwelling entirely escaped, although situated at hardly ten minutes’ distance. The highest temperature recorded by me (79.7 Fahr.) occurred on the 20th of October. On one occasion I observed a very beautiful after-glow. The clear flashing beams of hght, varying in intensity at intervals, and having their bases situated on the western horizon, stretched like an arch towards the zenith, flashing up only to die away continually. After perfect darkness had set in, this sheen continued, until at length, about three-quarters of an hour after sunset, it finally faded away. The sky was lightly clouded in the west, but, notwithstanding this, the beams of light were quite resplendent. This after-glow is said to occur here very frequently.

As soon as the new moon becomes visible she is greeted by the firing of guns, Horns and flutes form a lively, if not very harmonious, concert, the musicians marching up and down, either upon their heels or only upon their toes, bending at the same time their bodies backwards and forwards. Kabréga himself is at this time occupied in preparing his magic powders, his amulets and talismans, and no doubt also dabbles a little in the art of divination, as is the custom with all Wahtma chiefs during the first few days of the new moon.

Karly on the 9th of October, in celebration of the feast of Ramadan-Bairam (Id ezzuraiyar), Kabréga sent me a present of an ox. As, for a wonder, the weather permitted me to get about, I climbed the towering mountain which was near our camp. A footpath, well worn by the herds, leads up to the highest peak, the base of which is hidden by grass and reeds and many mimosas. ‘The soil here consists of reddish grey vegetable mould, under which there is a layer of brown humus two feet thick, having underneath it sharp-edged quartz fragments. The ascent from here is very difficult, in many places hardly possible except by crawling. So steep indeed, is the side of the mountain that only here and there a tree with willowlike leaves is able to take root. Short turf covers the thin layer of earth, which is bedded upon granite, except in some