CHIEF ANFINA. 137 later. I was compelled to rest here for a few days until porters arrived and my patients improved. The soil at Fauvera consists of a white sand mixed with a yellowish clay, in which sweet potatoes, durrah, and especially maize thrive splendidly. I left here, for experimental purposes, white peas from Kardgwa, and seeds of Carica papaya from Uganda, and I shall send wheat from Khartum. ‘The vegetation here is very luxuriant, but my stay was unfortunately spoilt by the numerous mos--quitos, and still more by the frogs. The latter are found in the river in great numbers, as also large Protopterus annectens (Owen).

Rows of hills run obliquely across the extensive park land, which stretches out on the other side of Fauvera as far as. Deang, our first halting-place on the road to Kirdto. Here and there the whole wealth of African vegetation unfolded itself, but human beings were nowhere to be seen. ‘The little village of Dedng is surrounded by a thin wood, in which masses of the red blossoms of the Canna indica are to be seen, as well as aloes and red passion flowers.

The next part of the route, from Dedng to Kijaja, where Ridnga’s people received us kindly, can only be described as a perfect sea of grass. These marches through the grass are very laborious, as one has literally to cut one’s way through, especially when travelling with sick men, as we were. White Crinum filled the air with its odour; it thrives best under the shade of high trees. We were only able to make very short marches, for the men could hardly walk, and I had no riding animals for them; I was therefore compelled to halt next at Anfina’s zeriba, Panyatoli, which lay a little to the north-west. There we met Anfina himself, and he again confirmed the good impression which he has always made upon me. He is the only Negro gentleman whom I have met with during four years’ journeys in this territory, Mtésa not excepted. Among the spectators who crowded round us were several Wichwézi sorceresses, who are to be found in the household -of every independent chief; their appearance is most striking, owing to their long curls of hair entwined with coloured cotton threads and their bead ornaments. ‘The people are mostly clad in skins, but bark cloths are also to be seen.