THE CONGO.
1884.
April 3.
Yombo.
the dead monotony of aspect which now enshrouds its
potent powers of production.
-Yombo is situated on the verge of one of these plains
overlooking the Lukunga valley ; Mwembé stands on
its western edge. The next day’s march takes us
over narrower grassy ridges separated by small
streams, until we arrive on the i grass-robed plain of
Muluangu, whence we descend into the trough of the
Kwilu River, which a few years before we ascended
in the steam-launch Royal. It is possible to descend
to the Congo from the ferry of Kondo, but the navigator
must beware of hidden snags.
Beyond the Kwilu we discover the broad valley, of
the Luima, which is remarkable for its exposed bed of
calcite and shale projections. One of these broader
valleys may at a future time be utilised for routes to
Stanley Pool, as almost all these rivers start from a
broad, uniform ridge, which is the water-parting between
the tributaries of thè Kwa and the Congo.
Between the valley of the Luima and the ùext valley
—that of the Lunionzo—there is an easy pass by
which a railwav might lead from Yoonda at the head
of the long reach above Isangila. Crossing the Lunionzo,
we pass under the cool sable shades of Ntombo
Lukuti grove, and then over a grassy expanse to the
station of Banza Manteka. Close by the station is the
settlement of the Livingstone Inland Congo Mission,
in a steamy hollow, too well sheltered from thè breezes
blowing over the western uplands.
From any of the hilly remnants of the ancient con^
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