T h e N dm b e b o f D a y s o n w h i c h R a i n f e l l (more or less) during the March j
of the East African Expedition, from Zanzibar to Gondokoro.
I860. Days on
which,
rain fell.
1861.
Days on
which
rain fell.
1862. Days on
which
rain fell.
January 19 January 14
February 21 February* 12
March 17 March 21
April 17 April 27
May 3 May 26
June 0 June 20
July 1 July • 22
August 1 August 20
September 9 September 18
October *2 October 11 October 27
November 0 November 17 November 20
December 20 December 16 December 6
* The equator was crossed on. the 8th February 1862.
FLORA.
; why this great fertile zone is confined to the equatorial
■regions, is the same as that which has constituted it the
¡breat focus of water or lake supply, whence issue the
¡[principal rivers of Africa. On the equator lie the rain-
tbearing influences of the Mountains of the Moon. The
equatorial line is, in fact, the centre of atmospheric
motion.*
From what has been said regarding the condition o i l
the atmosphere, it may readily he imagined that A fric a !
in those parts, after all, is not so bad as people sup-1
posed it was; for, when so much moisture falls under!
a vertical sun, all vegetable life must grow up almost!
spontaneously. It does so on the equator in the most!
profuse manner; but down at 5° south, where there a re !
six months’ drought, the case is somewhat different ; a n d !
the people would be subject to famines if they did n o t!
take advantage of their rainy season to lay in sufficient!
stores for the fine: and here we touch on the misfortune o i l
the country; for the negro is too lazy to do so effectively!
owing chiefly, as we shall see presently, to want of a strong!
protecting government. One substantial fact has been!
established, owing to our having crossed over ten degrees!
of latitude in the centre of the continent, or from 5° south!
to 5° north latitude, which is this : There exists a regular!
gradation of fertility, surprisingly rich on the equator!
but decreasing systematically from it; and the reason!
FAUNA.
In treating of this branch of natural history, we will
■first take man—the true curly-head, flab-nosed, pouch-
fmouthed negro—not the Wahuma.t They are well dis-
itributed all over these latitudes, but are not found
lanywhere in dense communities. Their system of government
is mostly of the patriarchal character. Some are
■pastorals, but most are agriculturists; and this difference,
I believe, originates solely from want of a stable govem-
ment, to enable them to reap what they produce; for
Jwhere the negro can save his cattle, which is his wealth,
by eating grain, he will do it. In the same way, as all
.¡animals, whether wild or tame, require a guide to lead
Jtheir flocks, so do the negroes find it necessary to have
lehiefs over their villages and little communities, who
» re their referees on all domestic or political questions.
§They have both their district and their village chiefs, but,
fin the countries we are about to travel over, no kings
such as we shall find that the ’Wahuma have. The district
chief is absolute, though guided in great measure by
his “ grey-beards,” who constantly attend his residence,
and talk over their affairs of state. These commonly con-
cerri petty internal matters; for they are too selfish and
¡too narrow-minded to care for anything but their own
i * Captain Grant’s collection of the flora of Africa 'will be found in
I Appendix.
| t The Wahuma are treated of in Chapter IX.
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