monkey, and zebra tracks. I passed several parties of men
with camels from Mombrui, coming to the mangrove swamps
for firewood. On inquiring I ascertained that the coast-lands
being now almost entirely denuded of bush, parties of men
were sent either up the Sabaki river, or, as in the case of
Mombrui, to the mangrove swamps, to obtain firewood, which
was retailed in small bundles at one pice each.
Just before reaching Ras- N’Gomani I entered a flat bushy
country, with very white sandy.soil. Ras N’Gomani consists
of a small cluster of about ten huts, built on a creek winding
far up into the land, with many inlets, and surrounded by
mangrove swamps. There was no cultivation whatever, and
the people, all Guniahs, lived by fishing. They possessed a
few canoes, and one dhow, which had just come in bringing a
large shark, the flesh of which was cut into strips and hung
out all over the place to dry in the sun ; they are fond of it
as an article of food. I here made inquiries about Marereni,
of which I had heard a good deal, and among other things
was told that game abounded there— especially in wet weather
—including water-buck, hartebeest, antelopes, any number of
lions, rhinoceros, buffaloes, etc. The head-man said I could
go to Marereni either ^across the bay by water, for it was
impossible to pass through the mangrove swamps, or else by
way of Gongoni, which would take five hours.
The askari Selim reported that there were antelopes in the
bush around here; so in the afternoon I went off with him,
taking my double express. I saw three or four antelopes, but
did not get near enough for a shot'; they were very wild. I
had a long tramp of over two hours, and this gave me an
opportunity of examining the bush thoroughly. It was much
the same as elsewhere, but the soil was very light and sandy.
I examined it in three different places, and found it to. consist
of very light sand mixed with black loamy particles. The lay
of the land was gently undulating, with some low hills.
Mangrove timber is exported from here both to Mombasa
and Zanzibar, the bay being accessible to dhows at full tide.
This mangrove wood (borities) is in much demand for building
purposes, as it is very hard and durable, and white ants do not
touch it. There is an enormous supply availablei