Exploration and Hunting in Central Africa,1895 - 96. By A. St. H.
Gibbons, F.R.G.S. (Methuen and Co. 15s.)—The author of this volume has succeeded in making an interesting narrative of his travels in this part of Africa. His chief object, the making of a reliable map by correcting many faulty observations of latitude, was successfully accomplished. The journey proper started from Kazungula, at the confluence of the Zambesi and Kwando rivers ; thence proceeding up the former he reached Lialui, the capital of Borotse, where dwells Liwanika, chief of the Marotss and paramount lord of several other tribes dwelling between the Zambesi and the Katukwe. (The prefix" Bo "denotes the country, " Ma " the people.) This chief, a good and just ruler, is of quite a different character from the cruel and superstitious chiefs who are constantly met with in this country. From Lialui he travelled in an easterly direction, and eventually reached Kazungula again. From this point he set out northwards, and visited Kaiyngu, the chief of the Mashikolumbwe, a tribe owing allegiance to Liwanika. He crossed the Katukwe, a river almost as large as the Zambesi, and reached Kowetui; thence he return's/ to his original starting-place. Mr. Gibbons enjoyed some fine hunting, and an eight days' trip produced twelve dis- tinct species ; with a little luck five more species would have been added to this list. His total bag consisted of twenty-six different kinds, and among these were buffaloes, lions, hippo- potami, and many kinds of deer. Game was very plentiful, though is some districts the rinderpest had done an enormous amount of damage. The author's journey was not without its accidents and anxieties. His "boys," as the carriers are called, on several occasions refused to continue the journey, and some deserted at critical periods. The visit, too, to Mashikolumbwe was not free from peril, for this tribe had an evil reputation, as the expeditions of both Mr. F. C. Selous and Dr. Holul met with disaster, though the leaders themselves escaped without harm. Mr. Gibbons, after getting over an attack of dysentery, passed safely through Matabeleland, though the revolt had actually begun. The travels are written in a pleasing style, and are illustrated by Mr. Charles Whymper from his own drawings, and by some photographs, all of which are good, especially four of the Victoria Falls and one of a Matutela blacksmith at work. The habits and customs of the tribes of this district form a large and interesting portion of the book. An excellent map shows the whole route of the travels.
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