When the steamer that I left at Gondokoro in sections shall be launched
upon the Albert N'yanza, this interesting question will be quickly
solved.
Early in November, 1871, when I was on the Nile south of Regiaf, I
noticed the peculiar change that suddenly took place in the river. We
were then in N. lat. 4 degrees 38", below the last cataracts, where the
water was perfectly clear and free from vegetation, with a stream of
about three and a half or four miles per hour.
Suddenly the river became discoloured by an immense quantity of the
Pistia Stratiotes, of which not one plant was entire.
This aquatic plant invariably grows in either dead water or in the most
sluggish stream, and none existed in the part of the river at N. lat. 4
degrees 38".
I examined many of the broken plants, which, instead of floating as
usual on the surface, were mingled in enormous quantities with the
rushing waters. None were rotten, but they had evidently been carried
down the numerous rocky waterfalls which occupy the interval between N.
lat. 3 degrees 34" and 4 degrees 38", and were thus bruised and torn
asunder.
The extraordinary influx of damaged aquatic plants continued for many
days, and unmistakably denoted the rise in the level of the Albert
N'yanza at that season (say 1st Nov.). Above the falls, in N. lat. 3
degrees 32", there is very little current in the broad deep Nile; and in
about N. lat. 3 degrees this river is several miles in width, with no
perceptible stream. In those propitious calms the Pistia Stratiotes
grows in vast masses along the shores, and the annual rise of the lake
creates a current which carries the plants towards the cataracts, and
consequent destruction.
By this sign I conclude that the maximum of the Albert N'yanza would be
during the month of November.
LANGUAGES.
The following list of words will afford a fair example of the
differences in language of the various tribes between Gondokoro
and the equator:
Lobore. Bari. Shooli. Unyoro.
A fowl ... ... A-oo. Chokore. Gweno. Unkoko.
A mat ... ... Gallaca. Tero. Kaboone. -
Flour ... ... Arafoo. Bolo. Mocha. Obsano.
Fire ... ... Arsi. Kemang. Mai. Moora.
Water ... ... Yee. Feeum. Pee. Maizi.
Milk ... ... Leh. Leh. Chak. Amattai.
A cow ... ... Tee. Kitang. Deaug. Inte.
A bull ... ... Moniko. Moni. Tu-an. -
A dog ... ... Orke. Diong. Gunoah. -
Rain ... ... Yee. Koodoo. Kort. Injoore.
The sun ... ... Yetakali. Narlong. Tschen. Musanne
A chief ... ... rpi. Mattat. Ruort. Matongali
A sheep ... ... abeelo. Kabisho. Ramo. Imbuzi.
A goat ... ... ndree. Keene. Deall. Imbuzi.
The moon .. ... mbah. Yarfah. Dooe. Quezi.
The stars . ... eebi. Katchikoo. Lakori. Nynerzi.
Flesh ... ... sah. Lokore. Reugo. -
Dhurra (corn) . sih. Keemak. Gyah. -
A basket .. ... voch. Soodah. Adooku. -
Beads ... ... ecoh. Sooksook. Teko. Unguanze.
Coracan Elcusine Loque. - Kaal. Burroi.
Unyoro Unyoro
A tree ... ... Bisale. Halt ... ... ... Indeenda.
Far off .. ... Arrace.
