444 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH.

exactly like petechiz, in the centre of which small hard prominences appeared, accompanied by severe burning, and they lasted for a long time. The cause of this affection was inexplicable to me, until I found that it was produced by the bite of a microscopic fly, which is unnoticed at the time, but which gives rise to the results I have just described. I hope that a change of air will free us from this affection, but I am told that these flies are always found where many bananas grow. Now there are plenty of bananas in this country, for, whereas in Uganda, the banana country, only three kinds are cultivated, more than ten kinds grow here, artificial varieties like the dates in Tripoli. I have myself only seen four kinds, differing very considerably from each other. One of them bore fruit eight to ten inches long, and as thick in proportion, which so astonished me that I immediately ordered a number of plants to be sent to Ladé. This fruit, although of a very solid consistence, has a very agreeable taste, and is eaten dried by the big chiefs. You have also tasted such dried bananas (badingo), and said that you liked them; you will therefore accept those I send you as a reminder of Monbuttu. Should you require more, please say so. ‘The banana groves, which are here also left almost entirely to themselves, remind me forcibly of Unydro and Uganda; but what an immense difference there is between those countries and Monbuttu !

The reason for this difference may be found, first, in the country itself. Uganda lies at a much higher altitude than Monbuttu, where two careful hypsometrical observations gave an altitude for Bellima of only about 2500 feet, which, when carefully calculated, will be probably considerably increased. On this account, also, the flora in Uganda cannot compete with that in Monbuttu; and although the same “gallery” formation may be found there bordering the deepest watercourses, it never, as far as I know, attains in that country the overwhelming luxuriance which is seen here, and any single species, whether tree or bush, never reaches such gigantic dimensions there as here. The best proof I can give of this thorough difference is the absence of palms in Uganda, where, with the exception of the Phenix spinosa, a few dolcbs, and a species of Calamus, no further examples of this family are