The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XVI, No. 6 [‎349v] (51/232)

624
AN EXPEDITION BETWEEN LAKE RUDOLF AND THE NILE.
I am much indebted to the Indian Survey Department for the loan
of a valuable set of surveying instruments, by which I was enabled
to lay down in detail over 500 miles of previously unmapped country
between occasional known lines.
Before the reading of the paper, the President gave his introductory address
(see p. 597). After the paper—
Major R. G. T. Bright said: I have listened with very much interest to Dr.
Donaldson Smith’s paper. It is, perhaps, doubly interesting to one who has had
the good fortune to pass over much of the country which he has traversed. Judging
from the amount of water which Major Austin and I found in the country south of
the Sobat, when at the beginning of this year we tried to make a journey to Lake
Rudolf, I am inclined to agree with Dr. Donaldson Smith in his surmise that at
one time the Nile, the Sobat river, and Lake Rudolf were one vast inland sea. In
1898 I was at the north of Lake Rudolf with one of the columns of Colonel
Macdonald’s expedition; there were then a few wretched natives, where, but a
short time before, there had been a very rich and prosperous community. These
natives at the time were suffering from famine, and an epidemic of small-pox. I
am, therefore, not surprised to hear that now there are but few inhabitants in that
part. This is due to the so-called civilizing raids of the Abyssinians. Dr. Donaldson
bmith will, I am sure, not rest long. He has already led several expeditions to a
successful issue, and I wish him, as in the present case, safe and many happy
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe : Dr. Donaldson Smith bason his former, as on his present
expedition greatly benefited zoological science, and his discoveries are quite on a
par with the wonderful new facts which he has brought from the countries through
Hi f bee G Y ° U haVe heard fr ° m the paper that we have afc the Natural
History Museum five new specimens of mammalia. I have not quite finished the
birds, but there are certainly some new species, and many of great interest, espe-
befor f T part ° f Afnca Which has n0t heen visited a naturalist
before. I need hardly say that the British Museum thanks him on this occa
sion as it has on former occasions, for not having forgotten zoological science.
He has presented us with those specimens which we before had not in the Museum.
. , PfiESIDENT - > Dr- Donaldson Smith’s paper is certainly one of peculiar
interest, even apart from his description of a new and almost entirely undiscovered
Think) he 78 PartlCUlarly S f UCk by the remarks important remarks, I
think) he made respecting the meteorology of this country. The desert lands
especially to the eastward, are caused by the winds from the north blowing over the
ountains of Abyssinia, and being thus wrung perfectly dry, coming down on their
southern sides as dry winds. This no doubt accounts for many phenomena con
°S°“ S 90Ulh . ° f A .'V‘ 8toi “ " 1 ™™ a great deal more care-
lul study, and the ,s a point of some importance, as the country will hereafter
ecome a British settlement. Possibly connected with this question is the verv
remarkable fact that the whole fauna, both birds and mammals, appears to change
as soon as Lake Rudolf is passed. There is a different fauna on the eastern to that
on the western side. In considering the paper of Dr. Donaldson Smith all these
points give rise to reflection; but we get very little idea of the important -eo-
cZrt „r'with the r e fr r sim , ply listentog to hi8 ^ ^ ^ -
conjunction with the paper he read to us a few years ago. He has not onlv
explored a new reg.on, bu, has done so with the greatest L; and has made a