On the Rovuma even, which is only about ten degrees from the equator, in September the slopes up from the river some sixty miles inland were of a light ashy-grey colour; and on ascending them, we found that the majority of the trees were without leaves; those of the bamboo even lay crisp and crumpled on the ground.

As the sun is usually hot by day, even in the winter, this withering process may be owing to the cool nights; Africa differing so much from Central India in the fact that, in Africa, however hot the day may be, the air generally cools down sufficiently by the early morning watches to render a covering or even a blanket agreeable.
The first fortnight after our return to the ship was employed in the delightful process of resting, to appreciate which a man must have gone through great exertions.

In our case the muscles of the limbs were as hard as boards, and not an ounce of fat existed on any part of the body.
We now had frequent showers; but, these being only the earlier rains, the result on the rise of the river was but a few inches.

The effect of these rains on the surrounding scenery was beautiful in the extreme.

All trace of the dry season was soon obliterated, and hills and mountains from base to summit were covered with a mantle of living green.