18 FROM MAGUNGO TO MRULL the number of tribes who dwell in the intervening region (Dinka, Nuer, Eliab, Bari, Madi). Unfortunately, at the present moment I have no Shiluk vocabulary at hand. The dialects spoken in all the other districts just mentioned belong to the Magungo language, the most southerly branch of which (Masindi, Lond, &c.) is called Madundi, and resembles Kiganda.

The porters required for forwarding my baggage were eradually making their appearance from the surrounding villages; and after they had been given a day of rest, and, what was probably more welcome to them, an ox for slaughter, it was time to think of the further journey. During light rain, which, however, soon ceased, we next proceeded southward, afterwards to take a more easterly direction. The whole three days’ march (we reckon six or eight hours for a march) from Maguingo to Kiréto, leads through an undulating country, in the hollows of which little streams flow from east to west (Khor Zalia, Khor Varingo). The whole stretch of country is covered by grass, so that horse and rider, much more wanderers on foot, are entirely hidden in it. Scattered throughout this sea of grass are Leguminose, ten to fourteen feet high, with yellow blossoms, tree-like Solanee, tall thistles, single trees (Kigelias, Mimosas, Combretas, and a few euphorbias), and in some places the tall spikes of an aloe, covered with hundreds of beautiful red tubular blossoms spotted yellow. The monotony of the way is often broken by a banana plantation, upon which all the energy of vegetation seems to have concentrated itself; and now and then one comes upon a hut, or a group of huts, apparently deserted ; but that the inhabitants are not far away is proved on the one hand by the extensive cultivation of sweet potatoes (Batatas edulis) and sesame, which are constantly met with, and, on the other, by the presence in the huts of all sorts of household utensils. The huts themselves are circular in form, with hemispherical roofs reaching to the ground, and they are divided into two compartments. The first compartment is for use by day, and has a sort of corner divan, and the space behind, which is completely dark, is devoted to the fireplace, storehouse, and sleeping-room. oe to one of these huts I found a plant