98 DUFILE TO FATIKO.

6. From DUFILE To FATIKo.

(December 27, 1878, to January 8, 1879.)

THE NILE AT DUFILE—CHARACTER OF THE SCENERY—CULTIVATED PLANTS —GORGE OF IGERI—RECEPTION AT FALORO—STAY AT NEW FALORO— HUT-BUILDING OF THE MADI—CULTIVATION—VOTIVE PILLARS WITH SKULLS OF ANIMALS—ABSENCE OF MONKEYS—THE AVIFAUNA OF FALORO—DRESS AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MADI—SINGU-LAR CUSTOM—RESPECT FOR WOMEN—FLORA ON THE KHOR SIRI—NEW SITE OF FABO—VEGETATION AT FATIKO—RESTORATION OF THE CHIEF, ROCHAMA.

In the Mohammedan world it is the universal custom, if a journey be absolutely necessary on a Friday, not to set out until the midday prayer is ended. Accordingly, we lost the cool morning hours, and had instead the pleasure of embarking in a temperature 97° Fahr. to gain the eastern bank of the river. ‘The river was for the time of year (December 27, 1878) extraordinarily high, doubtless owing to the damming back of the water which was caused by the obstruction that had occurred in the north. The eastern bank, which falls steeply to the river, was covered with water far and wide, and the numerous stately doléb palms, with multitudes of geese and other waterfowl, and here and there a stately yabirus (Mycteria senegalensis) fishing among them in the shallow water, presented a lively, pretty picture, the enjoyment of which was only disturbed by the lowing of the cow, as she swam with all her strength, fastened by a rope to the stern of our boat.

An extensive plain, now covered with dry grass, extends northwards and southwards from the water's edge; the doléb palms give place to isolated sycamores and mimosas, which are stunted owing to the constant fires; here and there for a considerable distance the stiff grey clay soil, mixed with patches of fine whitish yellow sand, lies bare. While on the right, the soft outline of the hills of Leré runs parallel to the route, on the left, at the distance of a few miles, a line of woods is visible, above which rise three or four isolated domes. Towards the south the land rises by gentle undulations. The