54 MRULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYORO.

so completely covered with dead leaves that she looked exactly like a wandering withered bush.

On the 18th inst. we started very early, but after ten minutes’ march we came to a halt near an extensive plantation of bananas and sweet potatoes, In order to change our porters. Maténgali Vukimba had the best intentions ; but much palaver and some blows were required before he was able to convince the people that they must go on; and when, after a quarter of an hour’s halt, we were again on the move, he followed us, with one of his subchiefs, gesticulating and shouting in such an energetic manner that I expected every minute a fight would ensue. At last, however, the dispute was settled, as usual by a friendly “ Kurungi” (good), and soon after Vukimba turned back to his village.

We then proceeded upon our way, stopping, however, at every group of huts to try and press porters into our service. The road led at first through fine fields and banana groves, then up and down through high wild grass, On either hand, at a distance of two or three miles, there rose mountain groups forming distinct ranges. Magnificent “ gallery’ woods skirted two muddy rain-gutters, which we crossed.

The silvery-haired Colobus Guereza was seen among the tops of gigantic trees which were enveloped in climbing plants. The Cercopithecus griseo-viridis swung among the creepers, and phoenix bushes, with Calladias, Amomum, and Rubiacee, formed the underwood. In the hollows where the rain collects there was very little water; it reaches nearly to our waists; but the mud and imbedded roots made our progress difficult. The horse I had with me was perfectly useless; I managed far better on foot.

A short march brought us to another stream with magnificent “gallery” woods. The red tulip-like flowers of the Spathodia shone against the thick dark foliage like flames of fire. We now left the high grass and marched upon a road which had been formed by pulling up the grass and cutting down the trees. Unfortunately, however, marching was rendered very difficult by the existence of deep holes where roots had been pulled up. Jor some distance a khor flowed by us at our right hand, its course being marked by dense foliage of overhanging