returning with about 25 lbs. of freshly-collected rubber
made up into the usual balls.
A nasty gadfly, with longitudinal stripes on its grey body
and a long sharp proboscis, is very prevalent about here.
I set off early the next morning for a further exploration
of the country to the N.W. of Dodori. Having got to the end
of the creek, which extends fully three miles beyond the town,
I found myself in an open grassy, swampy country bounded on
my right by a low ridge, from the top of which I obtained my
first view of the reported river winding in the open and flat
grass country beyond, with no conspicuous landmark as far as
the eye could reach. It is a fine pastoral country, and doubtless
swarming with game, though the ground at present was so
saturated with moisture that the animals had probably retreated
to higher and drier spots. The soil was a dark, rich, grey
loam.
From another point of the ridge I obtained a second view
of the river, the vicinity of which was a regular swamp ; one
large pool I especially noted. The river was not wide, but
was said to flow some distance through the interior, in the
direction of which nothing was to be seen but the same flat
grass plain and scattered clumps of bush. From this point I
struck off to the eastward, at first through the same open
grass country, everywhere so saturated that the water lay in
the lower spots or depressions to a foot in depth. There was
a universal growth of rich grass, but as I proceeded the
growth of the bush became thicker, and most luxuriant; there
were also fair numbers of large trees with a small leaf, greatly
resembling tamarinds. I continued through this country
keeping to the north-east, and gradually describing a semicircle
round Dodori. I had also intended striking into the
reported forest, but my visit to the river did not leave me
sufficient time this d a y ; accordingly, I returned towards
Dodori, passing through numberless low swamps which were
now completely flooded. The country on my way back
presented the same luxuriant appearance as before ; it was
park-like, large trees being interspersed with bush, which,
with the rich green grass and numerous water-pools, made up
4 really beautiful and striking landscape,
Just before coming to a small stream, which meandered
through the flat country, a large wild cycad was pointed out
to me with an enormous pineapple-shaped fruit, which the
Wa-Boni are said to eat. I presently struck the path used by
the indiarubber gatherers in going up country, and returned
to Dodori, having been absent four hours. I was much
impressed with the great possibilities of the country for rice
cultivation on an extensive scale, and probably in the higher
portions for ground-nuts as well; whilst the upper portions of
the creek promised exceedingly well for the successful cultivation
of coco-nuts. My guide was. an elephant-hunter, and
in the course of the day we had several times passed recent
tracks of these animals.
On inquiring my best way to Itembe, where I was to meet
Mr. Rogers, I found that the only way from here was through
Vaas, another Bajoni village on the coast, so I arranged to
start for this place next day. The temperature during the
day was— 6 a.m., 73°; 1 p.m., 8 0 ; 2 p.m., 8 i ° ; 4 p.m., 80°;
6 p.m., 76°. • There were heavy showers of rain throughout
the day.
Next day (May 21) I started at 6.30 a.m. in a S.E. direction,
over a low-lying swampy plain with a grey loamy soil,
through thick bush and Hyphaene palms, passing through a
fine patch of rice on the way. It was a dark stormy
morning, with sharp scuds of rain, and in passing through
some thick bush, we suddenly heard a leopard growling quite
close to the path, but the covert was much too thick to go
after him. About a couple of miles from Dodori I came
upon the Mundane range, running in a west to east direction.
This I crossed at an elevation of 250 to 300 feet, finding
extensive metamah cultivation on the ridge as well as down
the opposite slope; the soil was a sandy white with a reddish
subsoil, the poorer top soil being, no doubt, caused by wash.
From here I had a good view of Kiongwe and the Kiliman-
daro hills, and of the country between me and the creek— all
low bush and swamps.
On the opposite, or S.E. side of the hills, extended a low
plain with extensive metamah cultivation. The shambas
y?ere morq or less extensive blocks cut put of the thick low