New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-11

that often il is not seen for six months al
time This circumstance renders ascen-
sion difficult as the sides OF the mountain
present a fantastic exuberance Of vegeta-
ton sprlnging from a ground which, in
spite of its incline. is so DOGGY that prog
ress is very difficult.
II remember that in January there was
a lucky spell OF clear weather, and dur
ing the three weeks that | spent on the
Rouwenzori's heights I was able TO see
its snowy summit every day for at least
several hours. ! chose the valley OF Mo-
bouko, already visited by the Duke o. the
Abruzzi. where I had the good fortune 70
find a vague path and TO engage the
services OF guides who had already ac-
ccmpanied this important expedition.
THE ascension takes about four or five
days from the last Bakonjo village TO the
first snow Thanks to the dry spots un-
der the rocks. 1t is possible to camp un-
der fairly good conditions IL one has not
need of a large dry and fiat space the
first day we passed through the thick
lower forest. where one can admire the
magnificent arborescent ferns and gigantic
dracpnas. The next morning progress
had 10 force our way through thick cur
tain Of oamboos. We could not even see
glimpse of sky. We could not tell II the
weather was fine or If 1t was raining--ih
any case the latter had little importance
because at first contact with these pam
boos one is soaked 10 the skin.
We finally arrived at forest OF giant
brlars. whose trunks were decorated from
bottom to top with parasites and enor-
nous lunches OF moss Of marvellous colors,
comprising all the scale of reds, yellows
and green's The higher branches are
covered with punches of white moss and
prickly suspended growths which sway at
the least breath Of air. This all appears 10
one as a perfect dream landscape.
After a last effort and scaling peak OF
about 800 metres we arrived at the marvel
ous valley Of Kabuamba, situated at a
height of $500 metres. In this strange,
wild and fantastic garden | found the ex-
traordinary plants | had come to look for
lobelias in columns four and five metres
high, giant groundsels. with a beautiful
yellow lustre. reposing on trunks more
than ten metres high and crowned with
everlasting white and rose growths. The
day was blooming and beautiful when |
made my entry into this verltable Eden OF
the botanist. and | saw at a glance that |
had chosen the season wisely, as all the
plants were in full bloom.
"Higher up | arrived at the last bower
of Boujoungolo. situated at height ot
1000 metres 1t is here that the magnificent
lohela Of Wollaston grows This species.
discovered recently by Wollaston, who con-
Quoted the British Museum expedition. is
unknown. except a this altitude and high
er, till one almost reaches the snow, which
Is found after several hours journey at
height OF 1860 metres. Higher than this
animal and vegetable life is unknown, and
the interest OF the biologist ends.
I'm conclusion / may say that in spite of
the difficult and dangerous crossing of the
Ouganda so as to reach the foot Of the
Rouwenzori, and the difficulties of its as
cension, | do not hesitate to say that even
after a visit to the Kelimandjaro and the
Kema, the Rouwenzori offers one Of the
most prodigous spectacles that one can
contemplate on earth"