EveninthebeautifulshootingcountrycomprisedbetweentheriverGashandGallabat，althoughwehadexcellentsport，Ihadbeendisappointedatthenumberofelephants，whichIhadexpectedtofindinherdsofmanyhundreds，insteadoffortyorfifty，whichwasthelargestnumberthatIhadseentogether。Thehabitsofallanimalsgenerallydependuponthenatureofthelocalitiestheyinhabit。Thus，asthesecountriesweresubjecttolongdroughtandscarcityofwater，theelephantswere，insomeplaces，contentedwithdrinkingeveryalternateday。Wheretheyweremuchhuntedbytheaggageers，theywouldseldomdrinktwiceconsecutivelyinthesameriver。but，afteralongdraughtintheSettite，theywouldmarchfromtwenty-fivetothirtymiles，andremainforadaybetweenthatriverandtheMareborGash，towhichtheywouldhurryonthefollowingnight。Atothertimes，thesewilyanimalswoulddrinkintheSettite，andretiretothesouth。feedinguponMekNimmur'scorn-fields，theywouldhurryforwardtotheriverSalaam，aboutthirtymilesdistant，andfromthence，inasimilarmanner，eithertotheAtbaraononeside，orintotheAbyssinianmountains，where，atalltimes，theycouldprocureasupplyofwater。Ihavefrequentlydiscoveredfreshgrainsofdhurraintheirdung，atagreatdistancefromthenearestcorn-field。whentherapiddigestionoftheelephantisconsidered，itmustbeallowedthatthefreshdungfoundinthemorningborewitnesstothetheftofcornduringthepastnight。
thustheelephanthadmarchedmanymilesafterfeeding。Inthe"RifleandHoundinCeylon，"publishedin1854，Igaveadetaileddescriptionoftheelephantsofthatcountry，which，althoughpeculiarinthegeneralabsenceoftusks，arethesameastheIndianspecies。
Althoughtheelephantisfoundthroughoutmanycountries，extendingoveranenormousarea，thereareonlytwospeciesatpresentinexistence，——theIndianandAfrican。thesearetotallydifferentintheirhabits，andaredistinguishedbypeculiaritiesofform。Themoststrikingdifferenceisintheshapeoftheheadandspine。TheheadoftheIndianspeciesisperfectlydistinct。
theforehead，whenheldinthenaturalpositionofinaction，isperpendicular。andabovetheslightconvexityattherootofthetrunkthereisadepression，inshapelikeaherald'sshield:abulletinthelowerportionofthatshieldwouldreachthebraininadirectline。TheheadoftheAfricanelephantiscompletelyconvexfromthecommencementofthetrunktothebackoftheskull，andthebrainissituatedmuchlowerthaninthatoftheIndianspecies。theboneisofadenserquality，andthecasesforthereceptionofthetusksaresocloselyparallel，thatthereisbarelyroomforabullettofindachanceofpenetratingtothebrain。itmustbedeliveredintheexactcentre，andextremelylow，intheveryrootofthetrunk。eventhenitwillfrequentlypassabovethebrain，astheanimalgenerallycarrieshisheadhigh，andthrownslightlyback。TheteethoftheAfricanelephantdiffermateriallyfromthoseoftheIndian，bycontainingalessernumberoflaminaeorplates，thesurfacesofwhich，insteadofexhibitingstraightandparallellineslikethoseoftheIndian，areshapedinslightcurves，whichincreasethepowerofgrinding。TheearsoftheAfricanspeciesareenormous，andwhenthrownbacktheycompletelycovertheshoulders。theyarealsoentirelydifferentinshapefromthoseoftheIndianspecies。WhenanAfricanbullelephantadvancesinfullchargewithhisearscocked，hisheadmeasuresaboutfourteenfeetfromthetipofoneeartothatoftheother，inadirectlineacrosstheforehead。Ihavefrequentlycutofftheeartoformamat，uponwhichIhavesleptbeneaththeshadeofatree，whilemypeopledividedtheanimal。
ThebackoftheIndianelephantisexceedinglyconvex。thatoftheAfricanisexactlythereverse，andtheconcavitybehindtheshouldersissucceededbyapeculiarityinthesuddenriseofthespineabovethehips。Thetwospeciesarenotonlydistinctincertainpeculiaritiesofform，buttheydifferintheirhabits。
TheIndianelephantdislikesthesun，andinvariablyretreatstothickshadyforestsatsunrise。butIhaveconstantlyfoundtheAfricanspeciesenjoyingthemselvesintheburningsuninthehottesthoursoftheday，amongplainsofwitheredgrass，manymilesfromajungle。TheAfricanismoreactivethantheIndian，andnotonlyisfasterinhismovements，butismorecapableofenduringlongmarches，asprovedbythegreatdistancesthroughwhichittravelstoseekitsfoodinthenative'scorn-fields。Inallcountries，thebullsarefiercerthanthefemales。IcannotseemuchdifferenceincharacterbetweentheIndianandtheAfricanspecies。itisthefashionforsomepeopletoassertthattheelephantisaninnocentandharmlesscreature，that，likethegiraffeitisalmostasintodestroy。Icanonlysaythat，duringeightyears'experienceinCeylon，andnearlyfiveyears'
inAfrica，Ihavefoundthatelephantsarethemostformidableanimalswithwhichasportsmanhastocontend。TheAfricanspeciesisfarmoredangerousthantheIndian，astheforeheadshotcanneverbetrusted。thereforethehuntermustawaitthechargewithaconvictionthathisbulletwillfailtokill。
TheAfricanelephantisaboutafoothigherthantheaverageoftheIndianspecies。Thebullsoftheformerareabouttenfeetsixinchesattheshoulder。thefemalesarebetweenninefeetandninefeetsix。Ofcoursetherearemanybullsthatexceedthisheight，andIhaveseensomefewofbothspeciesthatmightequaltwelvefeet，butthosearetheexceptionalGoliaths。
Thetusksofelephantsvaryconsiderably，andthereappearstobenoruletodetermineareasonfortheirsizeandquality。InAbyssiniaandTaka，asingletuskofabullelephantseldomexceedsfortypounds，nordotheyaveragemorethantwenty-five，butinCentralAfricatheyaverageaboutforty，andIhaveseenthemupwardsofonehundredandfiftypounds。ThelargestthatI
havehadthegoodfortunetobagwaseightypounds。thefellow-tuskwasslightlybelowseventy。Elephantsinvariablyuseonetuskinpreference，asweusetherighthand。thusitisdifficulttoobtainanexactpair，astheHadamorservant，astheArabscalltheworkingtusk，isgenerallymuchworn。TheAfricanelephantisamoredecidedtree-feederthantheIndian，andthedestructioncommittedbyalargeherdofsuchanimalswhenfeedinginamimosaforestisextraordinary。theydeliberatelymarchforward，anduprootorbreakdowneverytreethatexcitestheirappetite。Themimosasaregenerallyfromsixteentotwentyfeethigh，and，havingnotap-root，theyareeasilyoverturnedbythetusksoftheelephants，whicharedrivenlikecrowbarsbeneaththeroots，andusedaslevers，inwhichroughlabourtheyarefrequentlybroken。Upontheoverthrowofatree，theelephantseattherootsandleaves，andstripthebarkfromthebranchesbygraspingthemwiththeirroughtrunks。
TheAfricanelephantisequallydocileastheIndian，whendomesticated，butwehavenoaccountofanegrotribethathasevertamedoneofthesesagaciousanimals:theironlymaximis"killandeat。"Althoughthefleshoftheelephantisextremelycoarse，thefootandtrunkareexcellent，ifproperlycooked。A
holeshouldbedugintheearth，aboutfourfeetdeep，andtwofeetsixinchesindiameter，thesidesofwhichshouldbeperpendicular。inthisalargefireshouldbelighted，andkeptburningforfourorfivehourswithacontinualsupplyofwood，sothatthewallsbecomered-hot。Attheexpirationoftheblaze，thefootshouldbelaidupontheglowingembers，andtheholecoveredcloselywiththickpiecesofgreenwoodlaidparalleltogethertoformaceiling。thisshouldbecoveredwithwetgrass，andthewholeplasteredwithmud，andstampedtightlydowntoretaintheheat。Uponthemud，aquantityofearthshouldbeheaped，andtheovenshouldnotbeopenedforthirtyhours，ormore。Attheexpirationofthattime，thefootwillbeperfectlybaked，andthesolewillseparatelikeashoe，andexposeadelicatesubstancethat，withalittleoilandvinegar，togetherwithanallowanceofpepperandsalt，isadeliciousdishthatwillfeedaboutfiftymen。
TheArabsareparticularlyfondofelephant'sflesh，asitisgenerallyfatandjuicy。Ihavefrequentlyusedthefatoftheanimalforcooking，butitshouldbetakenfromthebodywithoutdelay。as，ifleftforafewhours，itpartakesofthepeculiarsmelloftheelephant，whichnoamountofboilingwillovercome。
Theboilingoffatforpreservationrequiresmuchcare，asitshouldattainsogreataheatthatafewdropsofwaterthrownuponthesurfacewillhissandevaporateasthoughcastuponmoltenmetal。itshouldthenbestrained，and，whentolerablycool，bepouredintovessels，andsecured。Nosaltisnecessary，provideditisthoroughlyboiled。Whenananimaliskilled，thefleshshouldbeproperlydried，beforeboilingdown，otherwisethefatwillnotmeltthoroughly，asitwillbecombinedwiththewatercontainedinthebody。Thefatshouldbeseparatedaswellaspossiblefromthemeat。itshouldthenbehunginlongstripsuponalineandexposedinthesuntodry。whennearlydried，itshouldbecutintopiecesofabouttwoinchesinlength，andplacedinalargevesseloverabriskfire，andkeptconstantlystirred。Asthefatboilsoutfromthemeat，theresidueshouldbetakenoutwithapiercedladle。this，whencool，shouldbecarefullypreservedinleathernbags。ThisiscalledbytheArabs"reveet，"asupplyofwhichismostvaluable，asaquantitycanbeservedouttoeachmanduringalongmarchwhenthereisnotimetohalt。itcanbeeatenwithoutbread，anditisextremelynourishing。Withagoodsupplyofreveetinstore，thetravellerneednotbenervousabouthisdinner。Driedmeatshouldalsobekeptinlargequantities。thebestisthatofthegiraffeandhippopotamus，butthereissomecarerequiredinpreparingthefirstquality。Itshouldbecutfromportionsoftheanimalsasfreeaspossiblefromsinews，andshouldbearrangedinlongthinstripsofthediameterofaboutaninchandaquarter。theseribbon-likemorselsshouldbehungintheshade。Whennearlydry，theyshouldbetakendown，andlaiduponaflatrock，uponwhichtheyshouldbewellbeatenwithastone，orclubofhardwood。
thisbreaksthefibre。afterwhichtheyshouldbehungupandthoroughlydried，carebeingtakenthatthefleshisnotexposedtothesun。Ifmanyfliesarepresent，thefleshshouldbeprotectedbythesmokeoffireslightedtowindward。
Whenmeatisthuscarefullyprepared，itcanbeusedinvariousways，andisexceedinglypalatable。ifpoundedintosmallpieceslikecoarsesawdust，itformsanadmirablematerialforcurryandrice。TheArabsmakeafirst-classdishofmelach，bymixingaquantityofpoundeddriedmeatwithathickporridgeofdhurrameal，floatinginasoupofbarmianwaker，withonions，salt，andredpeppers。thisisanadmirablethingifthepartyispressedfortimeifnottoohot，asalargequantitycanbeeatenwithgreatexpedition。AstheArabsarenomadic，theyhaveafewsimplebuteffectivearrangementsforfoodduringthejourney。Forafortnightpreparatorytoanexpedition，thewomenarebusilyengagedinmanufacturingasupplyofabrey。Thisismadeinseveralmethods:thereisthesour，andthesweetabrey。
theformerismadeofhighly-fermenteddhurrapastethathasturnedintenselyacid。thisisformedintothinwafers，aboutsixteeninchesindiameter，uponthedokaorhearth，anddriedinthesununtiltheabreyhasbecomeperfectlycrisp。thewafersarethenbrokenupwiththehands，andpackedinbags。Thereisnodrinkmorerefreshingthanwaterpouredoverahandfulofsourabrey，andallowedtostandforhalfanhour。itbecomespleasantlyacid，andissuperiortolemonade。TheresidueiseatenbytheArabs:thustheabreysuppliesbothmeatanddrink。
Thefinestqualityofsweetabreyisaverydelicateaffair。theflourofdhurramustbewellsifted。itisthenmixedwithmilkinsteadofwater，and，withoutfermenting，itisformedintothinwaferssimilartothoseeatenwithice-creamsinthiscountry，butextremelylarge。thesearedriedinthesun，andcrushedlikethesourabrey。theywillkeepformonthsifkeptdryinaleathernbag。Ahandfulofsweetabreysteepedinabowlofhotmilk，withalittlehoney，isaluxuriousbreakfast。nothingcanbemoredelicious，anditcanbepreparedinafewminutesduringtheshorthaltuponajourney。Withagoodsupplyofabreyanddriedmeat，thecommissariatarrangementsarewonderfullysimplified，andapartycanmarchagreatdistancewithoutmuchheavybaggagetoimpedetheirmovements。
ThefleshthatistheleastadaptedfordryingisthatofthebuffaloBosCaffer，whichisexceedinglytoughandcoarse。
TherearetwospeciesoftheBosCafferinAbyssiniaandCentralAfrica，which，similaringeneralappearance，differinthehorns。thatwhichresemblesthetrueBosCafferofSouthAfricahasverymassiveconvexhornsthatuniteinfront，andcompletelycovertheforeheadaswithashield。theothervarietyhasmassive，butperfectlyflathornsofgreatbreadth，thatdonotquiteuniteovertheosfrontis，althoughnearlyso。theflatnessofthehornscontinuesinaroughsurface，somewhatresemblingthebarkofatree，forabouttwelveinches。thehornsthenbecomeround，andcurvegracefullyinwards，likethoseoftheconvexspecies。Buffaloesareverydangerousanddeterminedanimals。but，althoughmoreaccidentsoccurinhuntingthesethananyothervarietyofgame，Icannotadmitthattheyaresuchformidableopponentsastheelephantandblackrhinoceros。theyaresomuchmorenumerousthanthelatter，thattheyaremorefrequentlyencountered:hencethecasualties。
AbuffalocanalwaysbekilledwithaNo。10rifleandsixdrachmsofpowderwhencharging，ifthehunterwillonlywaitcoollyuntilitissoclosethathecannotmisstheforehead。butthesameriflewillfailagainstanAfricanelephant，orablackrhinoceros，asthehornsofthelatteranimaleffectuallyprotectthebrainfromafrontshot。Ihavekilledsomehundredsofbuffaloes，and，althoughinmanycasestheyhavebeenunpleasantlynear，theriflehasalwayswontheday。TherecannotbeamoreconvenientsizethanNo。10foradoublerifle，forlargegame。Thiswillthrowaconicalprojectileofthreeounces，withsevendrachmsofpowder。Althoughabreechloaderisaluxury，Iwouldnothavemorethanapairofsuchriflesinanexpeditioninawildcountry，astheywouldrequiremorecareinadampclimatethantheservantswouldbelikelytobestowuponthem，andtheammunitionwouldbeagreatdrawback。Thisshouldbedividedintopacketsoftencartridgeseach，whichshouldberolledupinflannelandhermeticallysealedinseparatetincanisters。Thusarranged，theywouldbeimpervioustodamp，andmightbecarriedconveniently。ButIshoulddecidedlyprovidemyselfwithfourdouble-barrelledmuzzle-loadingNo。10'sasmyregularbattery。that，iffirstclass，wouldnevergetoutoforder。Nothinggivessuchconfidencetothegun-bearersasthefactoftheirriflesbeinggoodslayers，andtheyquicklylearntotakeaprideintheirweapons，andtostriveintheracetohandthesparerifles。Duststorms，suchasIhaveconstantlywitnessedinAfrica，wouldbeterribleenemiestobreech-loaders，asthehardsand，bygratinginthejoints，wouldwearawaythemetal，anddestroytheexactnessofthefittings。
Asmallhandydoublerifle，suchasmylittleFletcher24，notexceedingeightpoundsandahalf，isverynecessary，asitshouldseldombeoutofthehand。Sucharifleshouldbeabreech-loader，astheadvantageofloadingquicklywhileonhorsebackisincalculable。Hunting-knivesshouldbeofsoftsteel，similartobutchers'knives。butoneprincipalknifetobeworndailyshouldbeofhardersteel，withthebackofthebladeroughedandcase-hardenedlikeabutcher'ssteel，forsharpeningotherkniveswhenrequired。
Allboxesforroughtravellingshouldbemadeofstrongmetal，japanned。Theseareagreatcomfort，astheyareproofbothagainstinsectsandweather，andcanbetowedwiththeircontentsacrossariver。
Travellingisnowsogenerallyunderstood，thatitishardlynecessarytogiveanyinstructionsfortheexplorationofwildcountries。butafewhintsmaybeacceptableuponpointsthat，althoughnotabsolutelyessential，tendmuchtothecomfortofthetraveller。Acoupleoflargecarriageumbrellaswithdoublelining，withsmallringsfixedtotheextremitiesoftheribs，andaspikesimilartothatofafishing-rodtoscrewintothehandle，willformaninstantaneousshelterfromsunorrainduringahaltonthemarch，asafewstringsfromtheringswillsecureitfromthewind，ifpeggedtotheground。Waterproofcalicosheetingshouldbetakeninlargequantities，andatarpaulintoprotectthebaggageduringthenight'sbivouac。NovulcanisedIndia-rubbershouldbeemployedintropicalclimates。
itrots，andbecomesuseless。Aquartsyringeforinjectingbrineintofreshmeatisverynecessary。Inhotclimates，thecentreofthejointwilldecomposebeforethesaltcanpenetratetotheinterior，butaninjectingsyringewillthoroughlypreservethemeatinafewminutes。Afewpowerfulfox-trapsareusefulforcatchingnight-gameincountrieswherethereisnolargegamefortherifle:alsowireisusefulformakingsprings。
SeveralsticksofIndian-inkareconvenient，assufficientcanberubbedupinafewmomentstowriteupthenote-bookduringthemarch。Alljournalsandnote-booksshouldbeoftintedpaper，green，astheglareofwhitepaperintheintensesunlightoftheopenskyismosttryingtotheeyes。Burningglassesandflintandsteelsareverynecessary。Lucifermatchesaredangerous，astheymayigniteanddestroyyourbaggageindryweather，andbecomeutterlyuselessinthedamp。
Alargesupplyofquicksilvershouldbetakenfortheadmixturewithleadforhardeningbullets，inadditiontothatrequiredfortheartificialhorizon。theeffectofthismetalisfargreaterthanamixtureoftin，asthespecificgravityofthebulletisincreased。
Throughoutalongexperienceinwildsports，althoughIadmirethevelocityofconicalprojectiles，Ialwayshaveretainedmyopinionthat，injunglecountries，whereintheabsenceofdogsyourequireeithertodisableyourgameonthespot，ortoproduceadistinctblood-trackthatiseasilyfollowed，theold-fashionedtwo-groovebeltedballwillbagmoregamethanmodernbullets。but，ontheotherhand，thefacilityofloadingaconicalbulletalreadyformedintoacartridgeisagreatadvantage。Theshockproducedbyapointedprojectileisnothingcomparedtothatoftheoldbeltedball，unlessitisontheprincipleofPurday'shighvelocityexpandingbullet，which，althoughperfectionfordeer-shooting，wouldbeuselessagainstthick-skinnedanimals，suchasbuffaloandrhinoceros。InAfrica，thevarietyofgameissuch，thatitisimpossibletotell，whenloading，atwhatanimalthebulletwillbefired。therefore，itisnecessarytobearmedwithariflesuitableforallcomers。MylittleFletcherwastheEnfieldbore，No。24，and，althoughamosttrustyweapon，thebulletsgenerallyfailedtopenetratetheskullofhippopotami，exceptinplaceswherethebonewasthin，suchasbehindtheear，andbeneaththeeyes。AlthoughIkilledgreatnumbersofanimalswiththeEnfieldbullet，thesuccesswasduetotolerablycorrectshooting，asIgenerallylostthelargerantelopesifwoundedbythatprojectileinanyplacebuttheneck，head，orshoulder。thewounddidnotbleedfreely，thereforeitwasnexttoimpossibletofollowuptheblood-track。
thusalargeproportionofwoundedanimalsescaped。
Isaw，andshot，thirteenvarietiesofantelopeswhileinAfrica。
UponarrivalatKhartoum，ImetHerrvonHeuglin，whocommandedtheexpeditioninsearchofDr。Vogel。hewasanindustriousnaturalist，whohadbeenmanyyearsintheSoudanandinAbyssinia。Wecomparednotesofallwehadseenanddone，andheverykindlysuppliedmewithalistofalltheantelopesthathehadbeenabletotraceasexistinginAbyssiniaandtheSoudan。
henowincludedmymaarif，whichhehadnevermetwith，andwhichheagreedwasanewspecies。Inthefollowinglist，whichisanexactcopyofthatwhichhehadarranged，thosemarkedwithanasteriskarespeciesthatIhavemyselfshot:——
Cataloguedesespecesdugenre"ANTILOPE，"observeesenEgypte，danslaNubie，auSoudanorientaleetenAbissinie。
A——GAZELLA，Blains。
1——Spec。G。Dorcas。*Arab。Ghasal。
2——G。Arabica，*Ehr。AlacotedelaMerrouge。
3——G。Loevipes，Sund。Arab。AbouHorabet?Nubie，Taka，Sennaar，Kordofan。
4——G。spec。?enTigrehChoquenBogos。
5——G。Dama，*Licht。Arab。Adra，Ledra。Riel，Bajouda，Berber，Sennaar，Kordofan。
6——G。Soemmeringii，Rupp。Arab。OmOreba。Tigreh，Arab。Taka，Massowa，Gedaref，Berber，Sennaar。
7——G。Leptoceros。Arab。AbouHarab。Gazellealonguescornes，mincesetparalleles。Bajouda，Berber，Taka，Sennaar，Kordofan。
B——CALOTRAGUS，Luad。
8——C。montanus，*Rupp。Arab。OtrabandElMor。Amhar，Fiego，Sennaar，Abissinie，Taka，Galabat。
9——C。Saltatrix，Forst。Amhar。Sasa。Abissinie。
C——NANOTRAGUS，Wagn。
10——N。Hemprichianus，Ehr。Arab。Omdigdig。Abissinieorientaleetoccidentale，Taka，Kordofan。
D——CEPHALOLOPHUS，H。Smith。
11——C。Madaqua。Amhar。Midakoua。Galabat，Barka，Abissinie。
12，13——DeuxespecesinconnuesduFleuveblanc，nomineesparlesDjenkes，"Amok。"
E——REDUNCA。
14——R。Eleotragus，Schrb。Djenke，Bor。BahrelAbiad。
15——R。Behor，Rupp。Amhar。Behor。Abissiniecentrale，Kordofan。
16——R。Kull，nov。spec。Djenke，Koul。BahrelAbiad。
17——R。leucotis，PetersetLicht。Djenke，Adjel。BahrelAbiad，Saubat。
18——R。Wuil，nov。spec。Djenke，Ouil。BahrelAbiad，Saubat。
19——R。Lechee，*Gray。BahrelAbiad。
20——R。megcerosa，*Heuglin。KobusMaria，Gray。Djenke，Abok，Saubat，BahrelAbiadetBahrGhazal。
21——R。Defassa，*Rupp。Arab。OmHetehet。Amhar。Dofasa。Djenke，Bor。BahrelSalame，Galabat，Kordofan，BahrelAbiad，Dender，Abissinieoccidentaleetcentrale。
22——R。ellipsiprymna，Ogilby。Djenke，Bor。BahrelAbiad。
F——HIPPOTRAGUS，Sund。
23——H。niger，Harris。Arab。AbouMaarif。Kordofanmeridionale，fleuveBlancChilouk。
24——H。nov。spec。Arab。AbouMaarif。*——Bakerii。*BahrelSalaam，GalabatDender，fleuveBIeu，Sennaarmeridionale。
25——H。Beisa，Rupp。Arab。BeisaetDamma。Souakim，Massowa，Danakil，Somauli，Kordofan。
26——H。ensicornis，Ehr。Arab。Ouahohelbagr。Nubie，Berber，Kordofan。
27——H。Addax，Licht。Arab。Akach。Bajouda，EgypteoccidentaleOasisdeSiouah。
G——TAUROTRAGUS，Wagn。
28——T。Orcas，Pall。AntilopeCanna。Djenke，Goualgonal。BahrelAbiad。
29——T。gigas，nov。spec。ChezlespleupladesAtoats，auBahrelAbiad。
H——TRAGELAPHUS，Blains。
30——Tr。strepsicerosPallas。Arab。Nellet，Miremreh。Tigreh，Garona。Ambar。Agazen。Abissinie，Sennaar，Homran，Galabat，Kordofan。
31——Tr。sylvaticus，Spaerm。BahrelAbiad。
32——Tr。Dekula，Rupp。Amhar。Dekoula。Arab。Houch。Djenke，Ber。
Taka，Abissinie，BahrelAbiad。
I——BUBALIS。
33——B。Mauritanica，Sund。AntilopeBubalis，Cuvier。Arab。
Tetel。Tigreh，Tori。Taka，Homran，Barka，Galabat，Kordofan，BahrelAbiad。
34——B。Caama，Cuv。Arab。Tetel。Djenke，Awalwon。BahrelAbiad，Kordofanmeridionale。
35——B。Senegalensis，H。Smith。BahrelAbiad。
36——B。Tiang，nov。spec。Djenke，Tian。BahrelAbiad，BahrGhazal。
37——B。Tian-riel，nov。spec。BahrelAbiad。
SPECIESINCERTAE
"Soada，"auOualkaitetMarebTaurotragus?。
"Uorobo，"auGodjam，AgowHippotragus。
"Ouoadembi。"March，OualkaitHippotragus。
"ElMor。"Sennaar，FazogleNanotragus?。
"ElKhondieh。"KordofanRedunca?。
"OmKhat。"KordofanGazella?。
"ElHamra。"Kordofan，BajoudaGazella?。
CHAPTERXXII。
WELEAVETHEDINDER。
FORsomedayswecontinuedourjourneyalongthebanksoftheDinder，andasthemonotonousriverturnedtowardsthejunctionwiththeBlueNile，afewmilesdistant，wemadeadirectcutacrosstheflatcountry，tocrosstheRahadandarriveatAbouHarrazontheBlueNile。WepassednumerousvillagesandextensiveplantationsofdhurrathatweredesertedbytheArabs，asthesoldiershadarrivedtocollectthetaxes。Imeasuredthedepthsofthewells，seventy-fivefeetandahalf，fromthesurfacetothebottom。thealluvialsoilappearedtocontinuethewholedistance，untilthewaterwasdiscoveredrestinguponhardsand，fullofsmallparticlesofmica。Duringthemarchoveraportionofthecountrythathadbeenclearedbyburning，wemetaremarkablycurioushunting-party。Anumberofthecommonblackandwhitestorkwerehuntingforgrasshoppersandotherinsects，butmounteduponthebackofeachstorkwasalargecopper-colouredflycatcher，which，perchedlikearideronhishorse，keptabrightlook-outforinsects，whichfromitselevatedpositionitcouldeasilydiscoverupontheground。I
watchedthemforsometime:wheneverthestorksperceivedagrasshopperorotherwingedinsect，theychaseditonfoot，butiftheymissedtheirgame，theflycatchersdartedfromtheirbacksandflewaftertheinsectslikefalcons，catchingthemintheirbeaks，andthenreturningtotheirsteedstolookoutforanotheropportunity。
Ontheeveningofthe23dMaywearrivedattheRahadclosetoitsjunctionwiththeBlueNile:itwasstilldry，althoughtheDinderwasrising。Iaccountedforthis，fromthefactoftheextremelengthoftheRahad'sbed，which，fromitsextraordinarytortuouscourse，mustabsorbavastamountofwaterinthedrysand，beforetheadvancingstreamcanreachtheNile。BoththeRahadandDinderriseinthemountainsofAbyssinia，atnogreatdistancefromeachother，andduringtherainstheyconveyalargevolumeofwatertotheBlueNile。UponarrivalatAbouHarraz，fourmilestothenorthoftheRahadjunction，wehadmarched，bycarefuldeadreckoning，twohundredandeightymilesfromGallabat。WewerenowaboutahundredandfifteenmilesfromKhartoum，andwestooduponthebanksofthemagnificentBlueNile，thelastoftheAbyssinianaffluents。
Aboutsixmilesabovethisspot，onthesouthbankoftheriver，isthelargetownofWatMedene，whichistheprincipaltrading-placeupontheriver。AbouHarrazwasamiserablespot，andwasonlyimportantastheturningpointupontheroadtoKatarifffromKhartoum。Theentirecountryuponbothsidesoftheriverisonevastunbrokenlevelofrichsoil，wlichonthenorthandeastsidesisboundedbytheAtbara。Theentiresurfaceofthisfertilecountrymightbecultivatedwithcotton。Allthatisrequiredtoinsureproductiveness，isaregularsupplyofwater，whichmightbeartificiallyarrangedwithoutmuchdifficulty。ThecharacterofalltheAbyssinianriversistoriseandfallsuddenly。thusatoneseasonthereisanabundanceofwater，tobefollowedbyascarcity:butinallthefertileprovincesadjacenttotheSettiteandtheupperportionoftheAtbara，theperiodicalrainscanbeabsolutelydependedupon，fromJunetothemiddleofSeptember。thus，theyarepeculiarlyadaptedforcotton，asadryseasonisinsuredforgatheringthecrop。Asweadvancetothenorth，andreachAbouHarraz，weleavetherainyzone。WhenwehadleftGallabat，thegrasshadsprungseveralinches，owingtotherecentshowers。butaswehadproceededrapidlytowardsthenorth，wehadentereduponvastdustyplainsdevoidofagreenblade。therainyseasonbetweenAbouHarrazandKhartoumconsistedofmereoccasionalstorms，that，descendingwithgreatviolence，quicklypassedaway。NothingwouldbemoresimplethantoformasuccessionofweirsacrosstheRahadandDinder，thatwouldenabletheentirecountrytobeirrigatedatanyseasonoftheyear，butthereisnotanengineeringworkofanydescriptionthroughoutUpperEgypt，beyondthesageerorwater-wheeloftheNile。OppositeAbouHarraz，theBlueNilewasagrandriver，aboutfivehundredyardsinwidth。thebanksuponthenorthsideweretheusualperpendicularcliffsofalluvialsoil，butperfectlybareoftrees。while，onthesouth，thebankswereornamentedwithnabbukbushesandbeautifulpalms。ThelatterareapeculiarspeciesknownbytheArabsas"dolape"
BorassusAEthiopicus:thestemislong，andofconsiderablethickness，butinaboutthecentreofitslengthitswellstonearlyhalfitsdiameterinexcess，andafterafewfeetofextrathicknessitcontinuesitsoriginalsizetothesummit，whichiscrownedbyahandsomecrestofleavesshapedlikethoseofthepalmyra。Thefruitofthispalmisaboutthesizeofacocoa-nut，andwhenripeitisofabrightyellow，withanexceedinglyrichperfumeofapricots。itisverystringy，and，althougheatenbythenatives，itisbeyondtheteethofaEuropean。TheArabscutitintoslices，andboilitwithwateruntiltheyobtainastrongsyrup。SubsequentlyIfoundthispalmingreatquantitiesneartheequator。
AtAbouHarrazIdischargedmycamels，andendeavouredtoengageaboattoconveyustoKhartoum，thustoavoidthedustyanduninterestingrideofupwardsofahundredmilesalongitsflatandmelancholybanks。buttherewasnotavesselofanykindtobeseenupontheriver，exceptonemiserable，dirtyaffair，forwhichtheownerdemandedfourteenhundredpiastresforapassage。
Weaccordinglyprocuredcamels，andstarted，intendingtomarchasrapidlyaspossible。
"June2，1862——WepackedthecamelsinthemorningandstartedthemofftoRufaar。Wefollowedat2。30P。M。asthenativesdeclareditwashalfaday'sjourney。butwedidnotarriveuntil8。30P。M。havingmarchedabouttwenty-onemiles。Thetownisconsiderable，andisthehead-quartersofouroldfriend，thegreatSheikAchmetAbouSinn。heisnowabsent，buthissonAliisathome。Hereceivedusverykindly，andlodgedusinhisownhousewithinalargeinclosedcourt，withawellofgoodwaterinthecentre。Havingreadmyfirman，bepaidustheusualcompliments，buthelackedthecalmdignityandeaseofmannerofhisgrandoldfather。Hesatstifflyuponthedivan，occasionallyrelievingthemonotonyofhispositionbyliftingupthecoverofthecushions，andspittingbeneathit。Nothavingahandkerchief，butonlythelimitednaturaladvantagesofafingerandthumb，acoldintheheadgavehimmuchtrouble，andunpleasantmarksuponthewallexhibitedhieroglyphicsofrecentdate，thatwereilladaptedtothereception-roomofanArabchieftain。Inaboutanhourhedeparted，andshortlyafter，adinneroffourdisheswasbrought。No。1wasanArabIrishstew，butalas!MINUSthepotatoes。itwasverygood，nevertheless，asthemuttonwasfat。
No。2wasanArabstew，withnoIrishelement。itwasveryhotwithredpepper，andratherdry。No。3wasagoodquickfryofsmallpiecesofmuttoninbutterandgarlicverygood。andNo。
4wasanexcellentdishoftheusualmelach，alreadydescribed。
Thewindhadwithinthelastfewdayschangedtosouth，andwehadbeensubjectedtoduststormsandsuddenwhirlwindssimilartothosewehadexperiencedatthisseasonintheprecedingyear，whenabouttostartfromBerber。WeleftRufaar，andcontinuedourmarchalongthebanksoftheBlueNile，towardsKhartoum。Itwasintenselyhot。wheneverwefeltabreezeitwasaccompaniedwithasuffocatingdust，butthesightofthebroadriverwascoolandrefreshing。DuringthedryseasonthewateroftheBlueNileisclear，asitsbroadsurfacereflectsthecolourofthebluesky。hencetheappellation，butatthattimeitwasextremelyshallow，andinmanyplacesitisfordableatadepthofaboutthreefeet，whichrendersitunnavigableforlargeboats，which，ladenwithcorn，supplyKhartoumfromthefertileprovincesofthesouth。Theriverhadnowbeguntorise，althoughitwasstilllow，andthewaterwasmuddy，astheswellingtorrentsofAbyssiniabroughtimpuritiesintothemainchannel。
Itwasatthissametimelastyear，whenatBerber，thatwehadnoticedthesuddenincreaseandequallysuddenfalloftheNile，thatwasinfluencedbythefluctuationsoftheBlueNile，atatimewhentheAtbarawasdry。
FromAbouHarrazthroughouttheroutetoKhartoumthereisnoobjectofinterest。itisthesamevastflat，decreasingrapidlyinfertilityuntilitmingleswiththedesert。andoncemore，aswejourneytothenorth，weleavethefertilelandsbehind，andenteruponsterility。Theglareofbarrenplainsandtheheatofthesummer'ssunwerefearful。Bacheethadaslightcoupdesoleil。myTokrooris，whosewoollyheadswereshaved，andsimplycoveredwithathinskull-cap，sufferedseverely，aswemarchedthroughouttheburninghoursoftheday。TheArabsweregenerallyveryinhospitable，asthiswastheroutefrequentedbyallnativemerchants，wherestrangerswereofdailyoccurrence。buttowardseveningwearrivedatavillageinhabitedbyalargebodyofFakeers，orpriests。Asweentered，weweremetbytheprincipalFaky，whoreceiveduswithmarkedattention，andwithacharmingcourtesyofmannerthatquitewonourhearts。heexpressedhimselfasdelightedatourarrival，hopedwewerenotfatiguedbytheheat，andtrustedthatwewouldrestforafewminutesbeforewedepartedtotheenchantingvillage"justbeyondthosetrees，"ashepointedtoaclumpofgreennabbukontheyellowplain，aboutamiledistant。there，heassuredus，wecouldobtainallkindsofsupplies，togetherwithshade，andalovelyviewoftheriver。WeweredelightedwiththisverygentlemanlyFaky，and，sayingadieuwithregret，wehurriedontothepromisedvillage"justbeyondthosetrees。"
Forfourteenmileswetravelled，hungryandtired，beyondthealluringclumpoftrees，alongthewilddesertofhotsandwithoutahabitation。theonlyportionoftruthintheFaky'sdescriptionwasthe"lovelyviewoftheriver，"thatcertainlyaccompaniedusthroughoutourjourney。Wewereregularly"sold"
bythecunningFaky，who，notwishingtobeincommodedbyourparty，hadgotridofusinamostgentlemanlymanner。Atlengthwearrivedatavillage，wherewehadmuchdifficultyinprocuringprovisionsforourselvesandpeople。
Onthe11thJune，havingsleptatthevillageofAbouDome，westartedatsunrise，andat9A。M。wereachedthebankoftheriver，oppositetoKhartoum。Weweredelightedwiththeview，asthemorningsunshoneuponthecapitaloftheSoudanprovinces。
thegroveofdatetreesshadedthenumerousbuildings，theirdarkgreenfoliagecontrastingexquisitelywiththemanycolouredhousesontheextrememarginofthebeautifulriver。longlinesofvesselsandmastsgavelifetothescene，andwefeltthatoncemore，aftertwelvemonthsofutterlywildlife，wehadarrivedincivilization。Wehadoutriddenourcamels，thereforewerodethroughashallowarmoftheriver，andarriveduponanextensivesandbankthathadbeenconvertedintoagardenofmelons。fromthispointalargeferry-boatpliedregularlytothetownonthesouthbank。Inafewminuteswefoundourselvesonboard，withoursoleremaininghorse，Tetel，alsothedonkeysthatwehadpurchasedinBerberbeforeourexpedition，andourattendants。Aswegainedthecentreoftheriver，thatwasabout800yardsbroad，weweregreetedbythesnortofthreeofouroldfriends，thehippopotami，whohadbeenattractedtotheneighbourhoodbythegardenofwater-melons。WelandedatKhartoum，and，havingclimbedupthesteepbank，weinquiredthewaytotheBritishConsulate。
ThedifferencebetweentheviewofKhartoumatthedistanceofamile，withthesunshininguponthebrightriverNileintheforeground，totheappearanceofthetownuponcloseinspection，wasaboutequaltothesceneryofatheatreasregardedfromtheboxesorfromthestage。eventhatpainfulexposureofanopticalillusionwouldbetriflingcomparedwiththeimpostureofKhartoum。thesenseofsighthadbeendeceivedbydistance，butthesenseofsmellwasoutragedbyinnumerablenuisances，whenwesetfootwithinthefilthyandmiserabletown。Afterwindingthroughsomenarrowdustylanes，hemmedinbyhighwallsofsun-bakedbricks，thathadfalleningapsinseveralplaces，exposinggardensofpricklypearsanddatepalms，weatlengtharrivedatalargeopenplace，that，ifpossible，smeltmorestronglythanthelandingspot。Aroundthissquare，whichwasfullofholeswherethemudhadbeenexcavatedforbrickmaking，werethebetterclassofhouses。thiswastheBelgraviaofKhartoum。Inthecentreofalongmudwall，ventilatedbycertainattemptsatframelesswindows，guardedbyroughwoodenbars，weperceivedalargearchwaywithcloseddoors。abovethisentrancewasashield，withadevicethatgladdenedmyEnglisheyes:therewastheBritishlionandtheunicorn!NotsuchalionasIhadbeenaccustomedtomeetinhisnativejungles，ayellowcowardlyfellow，thathadoftenslunkawayfromtheverypreyfromwhichIhaddrivenhim，butarealredBritishlion，that，althoughthinandraggedintheunhealthyclimateofKhartoum，lookedasthoughhewasplucktothebackbone。
ThiswastheEnglishConsulate。Iregardedourlionandunicornforafewmomentswithfeelingsofveneration。andasMr。
Petherick，theconsul，whowasthenabsentontheWhiteNileinsearchofSpekeandGrant，hadverykindlybeggedmetooccupysomeroomsintheConsulate，weenteredalargecourtyard，andwereimmediatelyreceivedbytwoostrichesthatcametomeetus。
thesebirdsentertainedusbyanimprompturaceashardastheycouldgoroundthecourtyard，asthoughperforminginacircus。
Whenthislittledivertissementwasfinished，weturnedtotheright，andwereshownbyaservantupaflightofstepsintoalargeairyroomthatwastobeourresidence，which，beingwellprotectedfromthesun，wascoolandagreeable。Mr。PetherickhadstartedfromKhartoumintheprecedingMarch，andhadexpectedtomeetSpekeandGrantintheupperportionoftheNileregions，ontheirroadfromZanzibar。butthereareinsurmountabledifficultiesinthosewildcountries，andhisexpeditionmetwithunforeseenaccidents，that，inspiteoftheexertionsofbothhimself，hisverydevotedwife，Dr。Murie，andtwoorthreeEuropeans，drovethemfromtheirintendedpath。ShortlyafterourarrivalattheConsulate，avesselreturnedfromhispartywithunfavourableaccounts。theyhadstartedtoolateintheseason，owingtosomedifficultiesinprocuringboats，andthechangeofwindtothesouth，withviolentrain，hadcausedgreatsuffering，andhadretardedtheirprogress。ThissameboathadbroughttwoleopardsthatweretobesenttoEngland:theseanimalswereledintothecourtyard，and，havingbeensecuredbychains，theyformedavaluableadditiontothemenagerie，whichconsistedoftwowildboars，twoleopards，onehyaena，twoostriches，andacynocephalusordog-facedbaboon，whowonmyheartbytakinganespecialfancytome，becauseIhadabeardlikehismaster。
AlthoughItakeagreatinterestinwildanimals，IconfesstohaveanobjectiontosleepintheZoologicalGardensshouldallthewildbeastsbeturnedloose。IdonotbelievethateventheSecretaryofthatlearnedSocietywouldvolunteertosleepwiththelions。butastheleopardsattheKhartoumConsulateconstantlybroketheirchains，andattackedthedogsandacow，andasthehyaenaoccasionallygotloose，andthewildboarsdestroyedtheirmudwall，andnearlykilledoneofmyTokroorisduringthenight，bycarvinghimlikeascoredlegofporkwiththeirtusks，thefactofsleepingintheopenairintheverandah，withthesimpleprotectionofamosquito-netting，wasfullofpleasantexcitement，andwasapiquanteentertainmentthatpreventedareactionofennuiaftertwelvemonthspassedinconstantwatchfulness。TheshieldovertheConsulatedoor，withthelionandtheunicorn，wasbutasignofthelifewithin。asthegrandpictureoutsidetheshowman'swagonmayexemplifythenatureofhisexhibition。Ienjoyedmyselfextremelywiththesecreatures，especiallywhentheostrichesinvitedthemselvestotea，andswallowedourslicesofwater-melonsandthegreaterportionofthebreadfromthetableafewmomentsbeforewewereseated。Thesebirdsappearedtoenjoylifeamazingly。onekindoffoodwasassweetasanother。theyattackedabasketofwhiteporcelainbeadsthathadbeenreturnedbyMr。Petherick'smen，andswallowedthemingreatnumbersinmistakefordhurra，untiltheyweredrivenoff。theywerethescavengersofthecourtyard，thatconsumedthedungofthecamelsandhorses，togetherwithallotherimpurities。
ForsomemonthsweresidedatKhartoum，asitwasnecessarytomakeextensivepreparationsfortheWhiteNileexpedition，andtoawaitthearrivalofthenorthwind，whichwouldenableustostartearlyinDecember。Althoughthenorthandsouthwindsblowalternatelyforsixmonths，andtheformercommencesinOctober，itdoesnotextendmanydegreessouthwarduntilthebeginningofDecember。ThisisagreatdrawbacktoWhiteNileexploration，aswhennearthenorthsideoftheequator，thedryseasoncommencesinNovember，andclosesinFebruary。thus，thedeparturefromKhartoumshouldtakeplacebyasteamerinthelatterpartofSeptember。thatwouldenablethetravellertoleaveGondokoro，lat。N。4degrees54minutes，shortlybeforeNovember。hewouldthensecurethreemonthsoffavourableweatherforanadvanceinland。
HavingpromisedMekNimmurthatIwouldlayhisproposalsforpeacebeforetheGovernor-GeneraloftheSoudan，IcalleduponMoosaPashaatthepublicdivan，anddeliveredthemessage。buthewouldnotlistentoanyintercession，asheassuredmethatMekNimmurwasincorrigible，andtherewouldbenorealpeaceuntilhisdeath，whichwouldbeveryspeedyshouldhechancetofallintohishands。Heexpressedgreatsurpriseatourhavingescapedfromhisterritory，andhedeclaredhisintentionofattackinghimafterheshouldhavegiventheAbyssiniansalesson，forwhomhewaspreparinganexpeditioninreplytoaninsolentletterthathehadreceivedfromKingTheodore。TheKingofAbyssiniahadwrittentohimuponaquestionoffrontier。ThesubstanceofthedocumentwasadeclarationthattheEgyptianshadnorighttoKhartoum，andthatthenaturalboundaryofAbyssiniawasthejunctionoftheBlueandWhiteNilesasfarnorthasShendyMekNimmur'soriginalcountry。andfromthatpoint，inadirectline，totheAtbara。butthat，asthedesertaffordednolandmark，heshouldsendhispeopletodigaditchfromtheNiletotheAtbara，andherequestedthattheEgyptianswouldkeepuponthenorthborder。MoosaPashadeclaredthatthekingwasmad，andthat，wereitnotfortheprotectiongiventoAbyssiniabytheEnglish，theEgyptianswouldhaveeatenituplongago，butthattheChristianpowerswouldcertainlyinterfereshouldtheyattempttoannexthecountry。
TheEgyptiansseldomhadlessthantwentythousandtroopsintheSoudanprovinces。theprincipalstationswereKhartoum，Cassala，andDongola。CassalawasclosetotheAbyssinianfrontier，andwithinfromfifteentotwentydays'marchofSouakim，ontheRedSea，towhichreinforcementscouldbedespatchedinfivedaysfromCairo。KhartoumhadtheadvantageoftheBlueNile，thatwasnavigableforsteamersandsailingvesselsasfarsouthasFazogle，fromwhichspot，aswellasfromGallabat，Abyssiniacouldbeinvaded。whileswarmsofArabs，includingthecelebratedHamrans，theBeniAmer，Hallongas，Hadendowas，Shookeriahs，andDabainas，couldbeslippedlikegreyhoundsacrossthefrontier。
AbyssiniaisentirelyatthemercyofEgypt。
MoosaPashasubsequentlystartedwithseveralthousandmentodrivetheAbyssiniansfromGallabat，whichpositiontheyhadoccupiedinforcewiththeavowedintentionofmarchinguponKhartoum。butupontheapproachoftheEgyptianstheyfellbackrapidlyacrossthemountains，withoutasignofshowingfight。
TheEgyptianswouldnotfollowthem，astheyfearedtheinterventionoftheEuropeanpowers。
UponourfirstarrivalinKhartoum，from11thJuneuntilearlyinOctober，theheatwasveryoppressive，thethermometerseldombelow95degreesFahr。intheshade，andfrequently100degrees，whilethenightswere82degreesFahr。Inthewinter，thetemperaturewasagreeable，theshade80degrees，thenight62
degreesFahr。Butthechillinessofthenorthwindwasexceedinglydangerous，asthesuddengustscheckedtheperspiration，andproducedvariousmaladies，moreespeciallyfever。Ihadbeenextremelyfortunate，as，althoughexposedtohardworkformorethanayearintheburningsun，Ihadremarkablygoodhealth，ashadmywifelikewise，withtheexceptionofonesevereattackwhileatSofi。Throughoutthecountrieswehadvisited，thetemperaturewashigh，averagingabout90degreesintheshadefromMayuntiltheendofSeptember。butthenightsweregenerallyabout70degrees，withtheexceptionofthewintermonths，fromNovemberuntilFebruary，whenthethermometergenerallyfellto85degreesFahr。intheday，andsometimesaslowas58degreesatbetween2and5A。M。
IshallnotrepeataminutedescriptionofKhartoumthathasalreadybeengiveninthe"AlbertN'yanza。"itisawretchedlyunhealthytown，containingaboutthirtythousandinhabitants，exclusiveoftroops。Inspiteofitsunhealthinessandlowsituation，onalevelwiththeriveratthejunctionoftheBlueandWhiteNiles，itisthegeneralemporiumforthetradeoftheSoudan，fromwhichtheproductionsofthecountryaretransportedtoLowerEgypt，i。e。ivory，hides，senna，gumarabic，andbees'-wax。DuringmyexperienceofKhartoumitwasthehotbedoftheslave-trade。ItwillberemarkedthattheexportsfromtheSoudanareallnaturalproductions。Thereisnothingtoexhibittheindustryorcapacityofthenatives。theivoryistheproduceofviolenceandrobbery。thehidesarethesimplesun-driedskinsofoxen。thesennagrowswilduponthedesert。thegumarabicexudesspontaneouslyfromthebushesofthejungle。andthebees'-waxistheproduceoftheonlyindustriouscreaturesinthatdetestablecountry。
WhenweregardthegeneralaspectoftheSoudan，itisextremewretchedness。therainfallisuncertainandscanty，thusthecountryisadesert，dependententirelyuponirrigation。Althoughcultivationissimplyimpossiblewithoutasupplyofwater，oneofthemostoneroustaxesisthatuponthesageerorwater-wheel，withwhichthefieldsareirrigatedonthebordersoftheNile。
Itwouldappearnaturalthat，insteadofatax，apremiumshouldbeofferedfortheerectionofsuchmeansofirrigation，whichwouldincreasetherevenuebyextendingcultivation，theproduceofwhichmightbearanimpost。WithallthetalentandindustryofthenativeEgyptians，whomustnaturallydependuponthewatersoftheNilefortheirexistence，itisextraordinarythatforthousandsofyearstheyhaveadheredtotheiroriginalsimpleformofmechanicalirrigation，withoutimprovement。
Ifanyonewilltakethetroubletowatchtheactionofthesageerorwater-wheel，itmuststrikehimasamostpunyefforttoobtainagreatresult，thatwouldatoncesuggestanextensionoftheprinciple。Thesageerismerelyawheelofabouttwentyfeetdiameter，whichisfurnishedwithnumerousearthenwarejarsuponitsexteriorcircumference，thatuponrevolvingperformtheactionofadredger，butdrawtothesurfacewaterinsteadofmud。Thewheel，beingturnedbyoxen，deliversthewaterintoatroughwhichpassesintoareservoir，roughlyfashionedwithclay，fromwhich，smallchannelsofaboutteninchesinwidthradiatethroughtheplantation。Thefields，dividedintosquareslikeachess-board，arethusirrigatedbyasuccessionofminuteaqueducts。Therootofthisprincipleisthereservoir。Acertainsteadyvolumeofwaterisrequired，fromwhichthearteriesshallflowthroughoutalargeareaofdryground。thus，thereservoirinsuresaregularsupplytoeachseparatechannel。
Inanycivilizedcountry，theexistenceofwhichdependedupontheartificialsupplyofwaterintheabsenceofrain，thefirstengineeringprinciplewouldsuggestasavingoflabourinirrigation:that，insteadofraisingthewaterinsmallquantitiesintoreservoirs，therivershouldraiseitsownwaterstotherequiredlevel。
HavingvisitedeverytributaryoftheNileduringtheexplorationsofnearlyfiveyears，Ihavebeenstruckwiththeextraordinaryfactthat，althoughanenormousamountofwealthisconveyedtoEgyptbytheannualinundationsoftheriver，theforceofthestreamisentirelyuncontrolled。Fromtimeimmemorial，theriseoftheNilehasbeenwatchedwithintenseinterestattheusualseason，butnoattempthasbeenmadetoinsureasupplyofwatertoEgyptduringallseasons。
ThemysteryoftheNilehasbeendispelled。wehaveprovedthattheequatoriallakessupplythemainstream，butthattheinundationsarecausedbythesuddenrushofwatersfromthetorrentsofAbyssiniainJuly，August，andSeptember。andthatthesoilwasheddownbythefloodsoftheAtbaraisatthepresentmomentsiltingupthemouthsoftheNile，andthusslowly，butsteadily，formingadeltabeneaththewatersoftheMediterranean，onthesameprinciplethatcreatedthefertileDeltaofEgypt。BoththewaterandthemudoftheNilehavedutiestoperform，——thewatertoirrigate。thedeposittofertilize。butthesedutiesarenotregularlyperformed:
sometimestherushoftheinundationisoverwhelming，atothersitisinsufficient。whileatalltimesanimmenseproportionofthefertilizingmudisnotonlywastedbyadepositbeneaththesea，butnavigationisimpededbythesilt。TheNileisapowerfulhorsewithoutharness，but，withabridleinitsmouth，thefertilityofEgyptmightbeincreasedtoavastextent。
Asthesupplyofwaterraisedbythesageerisreceivedinareservoir，fromwhichtheirrigatingchannelsradiatethroughtheplantations，soshouldgreatreservoirsbeformedthroughoutthevaryinglevelsofEgypt，fromKhartoumtotheMediterranean，comprisingadistanceofsixteendegreesoflatitude，withafalloffifteenhundredfeet。TheadvantageofthisgreatdifferenceinaltitudebetweentheNileinlatitude15degrees30minutesandthesea，wouldenableanyamountofirrigation，bytheestablishmentofaseriesofdamsorweirsacrosstheNile，thatwouldraiseitsleveltotherequireddegree，atcertainpoints，fromwhichthewaterwouldbeledbycanalsintonaturaldepressions。thesewouldformreservoirs，fromwhichthewatermightbeleduponavastscale，inasimilarmannertotheinsignificantmudbasinsthatatthepresentdayformthereservoirsforthefeeblewater-wheels。Theincreaseoftheriver'slevelwoulddependupontheheightofthedams。but，asstoneisplentifulthroughouttheNile，theengineeringdifficultieswouldbetrifling。
MehemetAliPashaacknowledgedtheprinciple，bytheerectionofthebarragebetweenCairoandAlexandria，which，bysimplyraisingtheleveloftheriver，enabledthepeopletoextendtheirchannelsforirrigation。butthiswasthecrudeidea，thathasnotbeencarriedoutuponascalecommensuratewiththerequirementsofEgypt。TheancientEgyptiansmadeuseofthelakeMareotisasareservoirfortheNilewatersfortheirrigationofalargeextentofLowerEgypt，bytakingadvantageofahighNiletosecureasupplyfortheremainderoftheyear。but，greatasweretheworksofthoseindustriouspeople，theyappeartohaveignoredthefirstprincipleofirrigation，byneglectingtoraisetheleveloftheriver。
EgyptremainsinthesamepositionthatNatureoriginallyallottedtoher。thelife-givingstreamthatflowsthroughathousandmilesofburningsandssuddenlyrisesinJuly，andfloodstheDeltawhichithasformedbyadeposit，duringperhapshundredsofthousandsofinundations。anditwastesasuperabundanceoffertilizingmudinthewatersoftheMediterranean。AsNaturehasthusformed，andisstillformingadelta，whyshouldnotSciencecreateadelta，withthepowerfulmeansatourdisposal?WhyshouldnotthemudoftheNilethatnowsiltsuptheMediterraneanbedirectedtothebarrenbutvastareaofdeserts，thatbysuchadepositwouldbecomeafertileportionofEgypt?Thisworkmightbeaccomplishedbysimplemeans:thewatersoftheNile，thatnowrushimpetuouslyatcertainseasonswithoverwhelmingviolence，whileatotherseasonstheyareexhausted，mightbesocontrolledthattheyshouldneverbeinexcess，neitherwouldtheybereducedtoaminimuminthedryseason。buttheenormousvolumeofwaterheavilychargedwithsoil，thatnowrushesuselesslyintothesea，mightbeledthroughoutthedesertsofNubiaandLibya，totransformthemintocottonfieldsthatwouldrenderEnglandindependentofAmerica。Thereisnofictioninthisidea。itismerelythesimpleandcommonplacefact，thatwithafalloffifteenhundredfeetinathousandmiles，withariverthatsuppliesanunlimitedquantityofwaterandmudataparticularseason，asupplycouldbeaffordedtoaprodigiousarea，thatwouldbefertilizednotonlybyirrigation，butbytheannualdepositofsoilfromthewater，allowedtoremainuponthesurface。Thissuggestionmightbecarriedoutbygradations。thegreatworkmightbecommencedbyasingledamabovethefirstcataractatAssouan，ataspotwheretheriveriswalledinbygranitehills。atthatplace，thewatercouldberaisedtoanexceedinglyhighlevel，thatwouldcommandanimmensetractofcountry。Asthesystembecamedeveloped，similardamsmightbeconstructedatconvenientintervalsthatwouldnotonlybringintocultivationtheneighbouringdeserts，butwouldfacilitatethenavigationoftheriver，thatisnowimpeded，andfrequentlyclosed，bythenumerouscataracts。ByraisingtheleveloftheNilesixtyfeetateverydam，thecataractswouldnolongerexist，astherockswhichatpresentformtheobstructionswouldbeburiedinthedepthsoftheriver。Atthepositionsoftheseveraldams，sluicegatesandcanalswouldconducttheshippingeitherupordownthestream。Werethisprinciplecarriedoutasfarasthelastcataracts，nearKhartoum，theSoudanwouldnolongerremainadesert。theNilewouldbecomenotonlythecultivatorofthoseimmensetractsthatarenowutterlyworthless，butitwouldbethenavigablechannelofEgyptfortheextraordinarydistanceoftwenty-sevendegreesoflatitude——directfromtheMediterraneantoGondokoro，N。lat。4
degrees54minutes。
Thebenefits，notonlytoEgypt，buttocivilization，wouldbeincalculable。thoseremotecountriesintheinteriorofAfricaaresodifficultofaccess，that，althoughweclingtothehopethatatsomefuturetimetheinhabitantsmaybecomeenlightened，itwillbesimplyimpossibletoaltertheirpresentcondition，unlesswechangethenaturalconditionsunderwhichtheyexist。
Fromacombinationofadversecircumstances，theyareexcludedfromthecivilizedworld:thegeographicalpositionofthosedesert-lockedandremotecountriesshutsthemoutfrompersonalcommunicationwithstrangers:thehardyexplorerandthemissionarycreepthroughthedifficultiesofdistanceintheironwardpaths，butseldomreturn:theEuropeanmerchantisrarelyseen，andtraderesolvesitselfintorobberyandpiracyupontheWhiteNile，andothercountries，wheredistanceanddifficultyofaccesshaveexcludedalllawsandpoliticalsurveillance。
Nevertheless，throughoutthatdesert，andneglectedwilderness，theNilehasflowedforages，andthepeopleuponitsbanksareaswildanduncivilizedatthepresentdayastheywerewhenthePyramidswereraisedinLowerEgypt。TheNileisablessingonlyhalfappreciated。thetimewillarrivewhenpeoplewilllookinamazementuponamightyEgypt，whosewavingcropsshallextend，farbeyondthehorizon，uponthosesandyandthirstydesertswhereonlythecamelcancontendwithexhaustednature。Menwilllookdownfromsomeloftypointuponanetworkofcanalsandreservoirs，spreadingthroughoutalandteemingwithfertility，andwonderhowitwasthat，forsomanyages，themajestyoftheNilehadbeenconcealed。Notonlythesourcesofthatwonderfulriverhadbeenamysteryfromtheearliesthistoryoftheworld，buttheresourcesandthepowerofthemightyNilearestillmysteriousandmisunderstood。
Inallrainlesscountries，artificialirrigationisthefirstlawofnature，itisself-preservation。but，evenincountrieswheretherainfallcanbedependeduponwithtolerablecertainty，irrigationshouldneverbeneglected。onedryseasoninatropicalcountrymayproduceafamine，theresultsofwhichmaybeterrible，asinstancedlatelybytheunfortunatecalamityinOrissa。TheremainsofthebeautifulsystemofartificialirrigationthatwasemployedbytheancientsinCeylon，attestthedegreeofcivilizationtowhichtheyhadattained。inthatislandthewatersofvariousriverswereconductedintovalleysthatwereconvertedintolakes，bydamsofsolidmasonrythatclosedtheextremity，fromwhichthewaterwasconductedbyartificialchannelsthroughouttheland。Inthosedays，CeylonwasthemostfertilecountryoftheEast。herpowerequalledherprosperity。vastcitiesteemingwithadensepopulationstooduponthebordersofthegreatreservoirs，andthepeoplerevelledinwealthandplenty。Thedamsweredestroyedincivilwarfare。
thewonderfulworksofirrigationsharedinthedestruction。thecountrydriedup。famineswallowedupthepopulation。andthegrandeurandprosperityofthatextraordinarycountrycollapsedandwitheredinthescorchingsun，whenthesupplyofwaterwaswithdrawn。
Atthepresentmoment，tenthousandsquaremilesliedesolateinthornyjungles，whereformerlyaseaofwavingrice-cropsfloatedonthesurface。thepeoplearedead，thegloryisdeparted。Thisgloryhadbeenthefruitofirrigation。Allthisprosperitymightberestored:butinEgypttherehasbeennoannihilationofapeople，andtheNileinvitesarenewalofthesystemformerlyadoptedinCeylon。thereisanindustriouspopulationcrowdeduponalimitedspaceoffertilesoil，andyearningforanincreaseofsurface。Atthecommencementofthiswork，wesawtheEgyptiansboatingtheearthfromthecrumblingruins，andtransportingitwitharduouslabourtospreaduponthebarrensandbanksoftheNile，leftbytheretreatingriver。theywerestrivingforeveryfootoflandthusofferedbytheexhaustedwaters，andturningintogardenswhatinothercountrieswouldhavebeenunworthyofcultivation。WereasystemofirrigationestablishedupontheprinciplethatIhaveproposed，theadvantageswouldbeenormous。ThesiltdepositedintheMediterranean，thatnowchokesthemouthsoftheNile，andblocksupharbours，wouldbeprecipitateduponthebroadareaofnewly-irrigatedlands，andbythetimethatthewaterarrivedatthesea，itwouldhavebeenfilteredinitspassage，andhavebecomeincapableofformingafreshdeposit。ThegreatdifficultyoftheSuezcanalwillbethesiltingupoftheentrancebytheNile。thiswouldbepreventedwerethemuddepositedintheuppercountry。
DuringthecivilwarinAmerica，Egyptprovedhercapabilitiesbyproducingalargeamountofcottonofmostexcellentquality，thatassistedusmateriallyinthegreatdearthofthatarticle。
but，althoughlargefortuneswererealizedbytheextensionofthisbranchofagriculture，theEgyptianssufferedconsiderablyinconsequence。Theareaoffertilesoilwastoolimited，and，asanunusualsurfacewasdevotedtothegrowthofcotton，therewasadeficiencyintheproductionofcorn。andEgypt，insteadofexportingasheretofore，wasforcedtoimportlargequantitiesofgrain。WeretheareaofEgyptincreasedtoavastextentbytheproposedsystemofirrigation，therewouldbespacesufficientforbothgrainandcottontoanyamountrequired。Thedesertsoil，thatisnowutterlyworthless，wouldbecomeofgreatvalue。
andthetaxesupontheincreasedproducewouldnotonlycoverthefirstoutlayoftheirrigationworks，butwouldincreasetherevenueintheratioproportionatetotheincreasedsurfaceoffertility。AdamacrosstheAtbarawouldirrigatetheentirecountryfromGozerajuptoBerber，adistanceofupwardsof200
miles。andthesamesystemupontheNilewouldcarrythewatersthroughoutthedesertsbetweenKhartoumandDongola，andfromthencetoLowerEgypt。TheNubiandesert，fromKoroskotoAbouHamed，wouldbecomeagarden，thewholeofthatsterilecountryinclosedwithinthegreatwesternbendoftheNiletowardsDongolawouldbeembracedinthesystemofirrigation，andthebarrensandsthatnowgivebirthtothebittermelonofthedesertCucumiscolocynthis，wouldbringforththewater-melon，andheavycropsofgrain。*ThegreatSaharaisdesert，simplybecauseitreceivesnorainfall:giveitonlywater，andthesandwillcombinewiththerichersoilbeneath，andbecomeproductive。
Englandwouldbecomeadesert，coulditbedeprivedofrainforthreeorfouryears。thevegetationwouldwitherandbecarriedawaybythewind，togetherwiththelighterandmorefriableportionsofthesoil，which，reducedtodust，wouldleavethecoarserandmoresandyparticlesexposeduponthesurface。buttherenewalofrainwouldrevivifythecountry。ThedesertsofEgypthaveneverknownrain，exceptintheformofanunexpectedshower，thathaspassedawayassuddenlyasitarrived。eventhatslightblessingawakensever-readyNature，andgreenthingsappearupontheyellowsurfaceoftheground，thatcausethetravellertowonderhowtheirseedscouldgerminateaftertheexposureforsomanymonthsintheburningsand。Givewatertothesethirstydeserts，andtheywillreplywithgratitude。
*ThegreatdesertsofNorthernAfrica，toaboutthe170N。lat。，aresupposedtohaveformedthebottomoftheMediterranean，buttohavebeenupheavedtotheirpresentlevel。ThevolcanicbombsdiscoveredintheNubianDesertsuggest，bytheirsphericalform，thatthemoltenlavaejectedbyactivevolcanoeshadfallenfromagreatheightintowater，thathadrapidlycooledthem，inthesamemannerthatleadshotismanufacturedatthepresentday。ItisthereforehighlyprobablethattheextinctcratersnowinexistenceintheNubianDesertwereactiveataperiodwhentheyformedvolcanicislandsinasea——similartoStromboli，&c。&c。
Thisisthewaytocivilizeacountry:theengineerwillalterthehardconditionsofnature，thathaverenderedmanasbarrenofgoodworksasthesterilesoiluponwhichhelives。Letmanhavehope。improvethepresent，thathismindmaylookforwardtoafuture。givehimahorsethatwillanswertothespur，ifheistorunintheraceoflife。givehimasoilthatwillyieldandtempthimtoindustry。givehimthemeansofcommunicationwithhisfellow-men，thathemayseehisowninferioritybycomparison。providechannelsforthetransportofhisproduce，andforthereceiptofforeignmanufactures，thatwillengendercommerce:andthen，whenhehasadvancedsofarinthescaleofhumanity，youmayendeavourtoteachhimtheprinciplesofChristianity。Then，andnottillthen，canwehopeformoralprogress。Wemustbeginwiththedevelopmentofthephysicalcapabilitiesofacountrybeforewecanexpectfromitsinhabitantssufficientmentalvigourtoreceiveandunderstandthetruthsofourreligion。IhavemetwithmanyChristianmissionaries，ofvariousandconflictingcreeds，whohavefruitlesslysowntheseedofChristianityuponthebarrensoilofAfrica。buttheirlabourswereill-timed，theyweretooearlyinthefield，thesoilisunprepared。themissionary，howeverearnest，mustwaituntiltherebesomefoundationforasuperstructure。Raisethelevelofthewaters，andchangethecharacterofthesurroundingdeserts:thiswillalsoraisetheintellectualconditionoftheinhabitantsbyanimprovementinthenaturalconditionsoftheircountry……
Thefirstportionofourtaskwascompleted。WehadvisitedalltheNiletributariesofAbyssinia，includingthegreatBlueNilethathadbeentracedtoitssourcebyBruce。Thedifficulttaskstilllaybeforeus——topenetratetheunknownregionsinthedistantsouth，todiscovertheWhiteNilesource。*SpekeandGrantwereontheirroadfromZanzibar，cuttingtheirwayuponuntroddengroundtowardsGondokoro。Petherick'sexpeditiontoassistthemhadmetwithmisfortune，andwetrustedtobeabletoreachtheequator，andperhapstomeetourZanzibarexplorerssomewhereaboutthesourcesoftheNile。Althoughwehadworkedhardthroughoutallseasons，overanimmenseextentofcountry，wewerebothstrongandwell，andtherestofsomemonthsatKhartoumhadonlyservedtoinspireuswithnewvigourforthecommencementoftheworkbeforeus。Bythe17thDecember，1862，ourpreparationswerecompleted。threevesselswereladenwithlargequantitiesofstores——400bushelsofcorn，twenty-ninetransportanimals，includingcamels，donkeys，andhorsesamongthelatterwasmyoldhunterTetel。Ninety-sixsoulsformedmywholeparty，includingfortywell-armedmen，withJohannSchmidtandRicharn。Onthe18thDecemberwesailedfromKhartoumupontheWhiteNiletowardsitsunknownsources，andbadefarewelltothelastvestigeoflaw，government，andcivilization。Ifindinmyjournal，thelastwordswrittenatourdepartureuponthisuncertaintask，"Godgrantussuccess。ifHeguides，Ihavenofear。"
*TheaccountoftheWhiteNilevoyage，withthehappymeetingofcaptainsSpekeandGrant，andthesubsequentdiscoveryofthe"AlbertN'yanza，"hasbeenalreadygivenintheworkofthattitle。
TheEnd