360 BEDEN TO KAKUAK.

it furnished a supper which lasted until four o’clock in the morning. Notwithstanding this protracted meal, we marched early, and soon reached the very steep ascent to the mountain chain which lay before us. ‘The pass was overgrown with such high grass that no view was possible, but I climbed up Jebel Kyago, which lay near the road to the right, and obtained there a satisfactory view, besides being able to take a number of bearings by which to work out my map. The descent from this chain is inconsiderable; it may be best described as a step to the terrace which rises in the west. A bamboo wood grew along two small khors, Hauchu and Lotortioni, both of which flowed through deep ravines. Broad stretches of coffee-brown rich humus, black scattered blocks of rock, the murmur of water clear as crystal, by which ferns and moss grew luxuriantly, and the cool shade, reminded me of far-away mountain woods, and if it had not been for the characteristic vegetation, I could have imagined myself far from Africa. A long march through high grass and prickly Randia bushes forcibly recalled the fact that I was still here. The fields which surrounded the village of Mitika had been much damaged by locusts, and as the Fajelu only cultivate a little durrah, they will be badly off for mrissa this year ;— eleusine forms their staple food.

The rain poured down every day, and not alone by day, but by night too, so that the soft humus clung like pitch to our feet. Chief Fitia, a toothless old fellow, had, notwithstanding an extra ration of brandy, the greatest difficulty in collecting porters for us. The drums seem to have become hoarse on account of the rain, and only gave forth a sorrowful sound. We had to be content to begin our march after 7 A.M. The rain accompanied us. Whole stretches of this district were overgrown by Amomum and aloes. A great number of small watercourses drained the soil; notwithstanding this, we continually came upon swampy depressions between the rows of hills, their stiff, fetid mud being very unpleasant. I noticed plants on all sides, such as Solanacege, gourds, and the castoroil plant, which indicated old settlements, and we also passed many hamlets and villages encircled by extensive fields where eleusine, Hyptis, dokhn, and Lubia were being grown. The