12 DUFILE TO MRULIL

a long chain which, with few breaks, extends towards the lake.

The river is frequently broken by huge rocks belonging to

a transverse reef, and motionless herons sit enthroned upon them. Enormous fringes of vegetation block the access to the — . river. Papyrus, Herminiera, and Arundo form the gigantic erowth of these impassable masses ; Cucurbitaceee and Ipomeeas twine themselves in festoons from plant to plant; Vossia composes the underwood ; and Pistia, Potamogeton, Vallisneria, Ottelia, and other small aquatic plants form a thick turf on the edges. Numberless swarms of small Fringillidee, golden black-browed weavers, find here retreats where they are never

disturbed. In shady spots stands the Scopus wmbretta, in deep meditation, with its bill resting on its breast. A panting hippopotamus plunges into the blue spray-crowned waves, leaving its shady resting-place at the noise of the steamer. Blue-green snakes cross the water with uplifted heads, and the pretty Parra africana hastens over the broad leaves of the water-lily, picking up a few snails by the way. After a violent thunderstorm had added still further variety to the scene, we anchored, late in the evening, to the high and easily accessible clayey bank at Bora.

No sooner was the steam-whistle sounded than the tall grass started into life. Negroes made their appearance from all sides, with pieces of firewood in their hands, to barter with the

captain for a few beads. During this business, which took place amidst joking and laughter, I paid a visit to the little village of Bora, situated at the foot of the hill at ten minutes’

distance from the bank of the river. The way led through fairly tall grass past Doléb palms and tamarinds. Mola, the chief of the Madi who inhabit the villace—this being their most southerly limit—received me in a friendly way, and offered for barter egos, fowls, and fruit of the Doléb palm. The village is small, and consists of rather miserable, hemispherical, straw huts, and numerous granaries standing on three legs and resembling the gugas of the Bari. They contain eleusine corn of lght yellowish colour, evidently a variety of a corn that I have only seen reddish brown before. There are banana plantations, but unfortunately no fruit; and sesame is largely cultivated. All