Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/430

 846 SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. of from 4,000 to 0,000 feet, whieli has been carved into parallel sections by the running waters, and which p:radually merges in the surrounding plains. This vast sustaining platform, which projects some J 2 miles bayond the normal slope of the volcano, constitutes the Chaga country, the only fertile and inhabited pnrt of the whole clump of mountains. The snow rests throughout the year on both crests of Kilima-Njaro, either i.i a uniform mass, or in streaks and patches. From season to season, almost from day to day, and even during the dry period, the aspect of the upper slopes under- goes continual change, due to the alternate expansion and decrease of the snow- fields. Till recently the coast people supposed that this snowy mantle, glittering in the tropical sun, was a solid mass of silver, and expeditions were frequently organised to scale the escarpments of the mountain in search of the precious metal, which when reached molted into water at the touch of their profane hands. The snows usually descend lowest in the month of October, especially on the western slopes, where they stand at the level of about 14,000 feet above the sea ; in July and August they recede nearest to the summit of both cones. The ascent of the mountain, at all times extremely difficult, is most easily performed during the snowy months, because at that time there is less fog, and, strange as it may seem, the cold is then less intense. The summits are seldom altogether free from clouds or mist. But when the snow-capped dome is seen glittering in the sun high above the lower fogs, it appears all the more magnificent that it seems entirely severed from the earth by the intervening oceans of vapours. Then it is indeed the Ngaje Ngai, or " House of God," as the Masai call it. They also give it the more simple title of Dunye Ebor, or " "White Mountain." The Njiui Plain. The opposite slopes of Kilima-Njaro present a most remarkable contrast in their gentral appearance. All the streams which take their rise amid the snows of the higher regions flow exclusively down the southern flanks of the mountain. A few torrents have no doubt thoir sources on the east and west sides, but these sources are all situated about the base, so that here the upper slopes are destitute of running waters, while the northern flanks are everywhere perfectly dry on the surface. It is watered by no streams. Hence the Njiri plain, which on this side stretches along the foot of the mountain, is a complete desert, although a few springs are seen bubbling up here and there. These springs, which flow to the surrounding lagoons and saline reservoirs, are evidently themselves fed by under- ground streams concealed amid the ashes and scoria; of the volcano. The Njiri reservoirs are not the only closed basins occurring round about the periphery of Kiliraa-Njaro. One of these basins lying at its south-east foot, and known as Lake Chala, is a flooded igneous crater, whose almost vertical walls of fcorioD are encircled on the summit by a garland of verdure. Its waters are sweet and transparent. The Masai have a tradition that the lake was formed during a violent eruption, during which one of their villages disappeared ; and, as in so