by David Alric
Alan Cutcliff Chapter 7 This man is a curator of minerals. Alan comes from the Breton name meaning “little rock” and Cutcliff is an appropriate name for one who obtains stones from cliffs.
Angstrom Chapter 5 The angstrom is a unit of length equivalent to 0.1 nanometre. It is used to express wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum and is a very appropriate name for a scientist researching the physics of light.
Biggles Chapter 8 Biggles happens to have the same name as the famous fictional pilot hero who appears in the books by W E Johns. Major James Bigglesworth, known always as Biggles, was a fighter ace who featured in numerous flying adventures.
Bonaventure Preface Bonaventure is Lucy’s surname. Saint Bonaventure (1221–74) was a mystic and philosopher who was the author of ‘Life of St. Francis.’ Saint Francis, like Lucy, was said to be able to communicate with animals.
Boyoma Falls Chapter 11 Formerly known as the Stanley Falls, the Boyoma Falls are a series of seven cataracts that extend for 60 miles (100 kilometres) along the Lualaba River between Ubundu and Kisangani. Below the seventh cataract the river becomes the Congo River.
Chakula Chapter 4 Chakula means food in Swahili and is a good name for Neema’s cook.
Colarinho Chapter 5 Captain Colarinho is one of the Brazilian policemen. Colarinho is a Portuguese word for a person who catches someone.
Ferret Chapter 21 Ferret is an investigative journalist with a very suitable name (see glossary).
Fossfinder Preface Helen and Julian Fossfinder are palaeontologists who look for fossils.
Haggard Chapter 21 Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856–1925) was a writer of adventure stories, mostly set in Africa. King Solomon’s Mines is one of his most famous books. (see Solomon)
Hakimu Chapter 3 This is a Swahili word meaning chief. It is a suitable name for the chief ranger at the reserve!
Hans Chapter 8 Hans is a variant of Johannes, the German name equivalent to John in English.
Hogwarts Chapter 13 Hogwarts is the school of witchcraft and wizardry in J K Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter series. The mail is delivered to and from Hogwarts by owls and Sarah thinks this is similar to the use of hawks and eagles for the same purpose by Lucy.
Jambo Chapter 3 Jambo means “hello” in Swahili and is the name of the first bonobo to greet Neema in the forest.
Jangili Chapter 9 As you might have guessed, Jangili is a Swahili word meaning poacher or rogue.
Johannes Chapter 21 see Hans.
Kasai Craton Chapter 7 A famous diamond-bearing seam that extends from Angola into Kasai in the DCR.
Kilimanjaro Chapter 6 Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano in north-eastern Tanzania. It is 5892 metres high (19,331 feet), and is the highest point in Africa.
King Solomon Chapter 21 see Solomon
Kinshasa Chapter 3 Kinshasa, formerly known as Léopoldville, is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a population of approximately 10 million people it is the third largest city on the African continent and the second largest Francophone city in the world, after Paris.
Kongamato Chapter 4 This is a cryptid (qv) that has been the subject of numerous sightings over the last hundred years in Zambia and the DCR, including a report from a British Museum expedition in 1932. It is supposedly a living species of pterodactyl.
Kuficha Chapter 10 This is a Swahili word meaning to hide or conceal. It is a suitable name for someone with an invisibility robe!
Kukamata Chapter 10 This is a Swahili word meaning to detain or restrain and is an appropriate name for an anti-poaching officer.
Littleporkton Chapter 24 A seaside town which must be somewhere similar to Littlehampton.
Livingstone Chapter 13 Dr David Livingstone(1813–73) was a Scottish missionary doctor who was one of the greatest European explorers of Africa. He publicised the horrors of the slave trade. He died on an expedition to expose further information about slavery and to discover the source of the Nile.
Loch Ness Monster Chapter 4 A cryptid, also called ‘Nessie’ (Scottish Gaelic: Niseag). Its (disputed) scientific name is Nessiteras rhombopteryx, meaning The wonder of Ness with the diamond-shaped fin. The name was given by the late Sir Peter Scott and sceptics point out that this ‘scientific’ name is an anagram of ‘monster hoax by Sir Peter S.’ Loch Ness is the largest body of fresh water in Britain (by volume) and the monster is claimed to be one of a colony of lake creatures similar in appearance to the (long-extinct) plesiosaurs. The first reported sighting of the creature was said to have been by St. Colomba on 22 August 565 AD.
Lucinda Prologue The name Lucinda means ‘bringer of light’, an appropriate name for this scientist. The Roman goddess of childbirth, Lucine, gave first light to the newborn.
Lucius Chapter 7 The name Lucius comes from the Latin word, lux, meaning light.
Lukwata Chapter 22 A cryptid water monster that has been the subject of several reported sightings in the swamps of eastern and central Africa.
Luz Chapter 9 This is the Portuguese word for light, the subject studied by the professor.
Masai Mara Chapter 9 A large park reserve in south-western Kenya, famous for its abundance of game. It is adjacent to the Serengeti reserve in neighbouring Tanzania.
Mgosa Chapter 10 This is a Swahili word meaning “thief or “criminal.” It is a very suitable name for Sid’s henchman!
Mlezi Chapter 2 This is a Swahili word meaning “nurse” or “children’s governess.” It is an appropriate name for Mzuri.
Mlinzi Chapter 2 This is a Swahili word meaning “watchman” or “protector.” It is a suitable name for Mzuri’s father who is a ranger guarding the game reserve.
Mokèlé-Mbèmbé Chapter 4 A large cryptid that has been the subject of numerous sightings along the Congo river. Some reports describe it as having a giant single horn.
Moriarty Chapter 8 Professor James Moriarty appears in the famous fictional detective stories about Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Moriarty is Holmes’s arch enemy and is commonly regarded as being the first ‘supervillain’ in literature. In the present book Moriarty is the maiden name of Prof. Strahlung’s mother so, appropriately, the two evil professors are presumably related.
Mzuri Chapter 1 This is a Swahili word meaning good.
Ndoki Chapter 4 A remote jungle area in the north of the republic of Congo, famous for its wildlife.
Ndugu shetani Chapter 10 Ndugu is a Swahili word meaning brother and shetani means devil or evil spirit.
Neema Chapter 2 This is a Swahili word meaning good fortune or grace.
Ngorongoro crater Chapter 6 The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest unflooded volcanic caldera, having an approximate diameter of 12 miles (20 km). It is situated in a conservation area in Tanzania and contains a wide variety of wild life. It is a popular tourist attraction.
Peter Flint Chapter 5 Lucinda’s fiancé. He is a geologist with very appropriate names. Peter comes from the Greek word petros meaning stone, and Flint is a type of rock called quartz
Photogyraspar Chapter 5 This is not a real substance but is the name Lucinda coined for the ore discovered by Biggles. Photo comes from the Greek word ‘phos’ meaning light. Gyrate means to rotate or spiral from the Greek word ‘guros’ a circle. Spar is a transparent or translucent microcrystalline mineral. Thus photogyraspar is a crystalline mineral that twists or distorts light
Poirot Chapter 5 Hercule Poirot is a famous Belgian detective who appears in many of the detective stories written by Agatha Christie.
Pterodactyl Chapter 4 Meaning: Winged finger. Any of a large variety of flying reptiles belonging to the order Pterosauria. The wings were covered in thin membranes of skin, like a bat, and the animals ranged in size from that of a small bird to monsters with a wing span of 14 metres. Pterodactyl species existed over an immense span of time: 228–65mya.
Queen of Sheba Chapter 21 see Sheba
Rider Haggard Chapter 21 see Haggard.
Sabedoria Chapter 7 This is the Portuguese w
ord for wisdom. A suitable name for the university.
Salonga National Park Chapter 1 This is the largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa. It is situated at the heart of the Congo river basin and is only accessible by water. It is home to many rare and endangered species, including the bonobo.
Schadenfreude Chapter 8 This is a German word meaning to take pleasure in another’s misfortune.
Serengeti Chapter 6 The Serengeti National Park is a large conservation area in Tanzania, established in 1951. It is famous for its variety and quantity of game, including all of the “big five”– lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. It is the site of immense natural migrations of wildebeeste and zebra.
Shangazi Chapter 3 This is a Swahili word meaning paternal aunt – the relationship Shangazi bears to Mzuri.
Sheba Chapter 21 The queen of Sheba is mentioned as visiting Solomon in the biblical book of 1Kings. Sheba was a nation spanning parts of both Africa and Asia across the Red Sea.
Solomon Chapter 21 King Solomon was a king of Israel. He was the son of David and mentioned in the biblical book of 1Kings. He was credited with great wisdom and was visited by the Queen of Sheba. Popular legend has it that he possessed fabulously wealthy mines somewhere in Africa, but this is not a proved historical fact. (see Haggard)
Stanley Chapter 11 Sir Henry Morton Stanley (1841–1904) was a famous explorer and journalist. He was asked by the New York Herald to try and find David Livingstone (qv) who had not been heard of for years since setting off in 1864 on a journey to find the origin of the Nile. After a series of adventures and misfortunes Stanley eventually found Livingstone in the village of Ujiji near the shores of Lake Victoria. He walked up to him and uttered the famous words: “Doctor Livingstone I presume?”.
Strahlung Chapter 7 Strahlung is the German word for radiation. The professor studies light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation.
Tsavo National Park Chapter 2 The Tsavo National Park is in Kenya. Established in 1948, it is the largest national park in Africa (22,000 sq.km.) and, despite immense losses from poaching, still contains a spectacular quantity and variety of game.
Ulindaji Chapter 2 This is a Swahili word meaning security or protection It is a suitable name for a ranger at the reserve!
Glossary
The explanations in this glossary give only the meanings of words as they are used in the book. Many of the words have other meanings as well, and if a full description of a word is required the interested reader should consult a dictionary.
(abbrev. – abbreviation, adj. – adjective, adv. – adverb, conj. – conjunction, interj. – interjection, n. – noun, pl.n. – plural noun, prep. – preposition, v. – verb)
abbreviation n. a shortened word or phrase
abduction n. the removal of someone by force; kidnap
abruptly adv. suddenly; unexpectedly
abysmal adj. very bad; terrible (modern informal usage)
access n. the right or ability to enter, use or approach something
acknowledge v. to recognize the truth of something; to admit a reality
acquire v. to get something; to obtain; to gain possession
acrid adj. unpleasantly sharp; pungent; having an irritant smell or taste
acronym n. a pronounceable word made up from some or all of the initial letters of a longer title
adjacent adj. next to; near; adjoining
adopt v. Chapters 2, 3, 4: to take responsibility for; to take into the family; v. Chapters 16, 20: to take on or use
adrenaline n. a hormone associated with excitement, stress or activity
advocate n. one who pleads a cause; one who speaks on behalf of another
affluent adj. wealthy; rich
affront v. to insult; to offend; to upset the dignity of
aforementioned adj. someone or something that has been referred to previously
aftermath n. the results of a previous event; the period after an event
aggro n. (slang) an abbreviation of aggravation meaning annoyance or nuisance
aghast adj. filled or overcome with horror; appalled
agog adj. very curious; intensely attentive
akin adj. like; similar to; having the same characteristics
alcove n. a recess in a wall; a niche
alert adj. attentive; vigilant
alleged adj. described as such; presumed to be; said but not proved to be
allocate v. to give to; to assign; to allot
aloof adj. distant; having a superior attitude; supercilious
amateur n. a non-professional person; one who engages in an interest for enjoyment or sport, rather than for remuneration
ambition n. a strong desire for success or power
ambush n. a trap, usually involving people waiting in hiding to catch or attack others
ammo n. (slang) an abbreviation for ammunition
ammunition n. projectiles that can be fired from a weapon e.g. bullets
anagram n. a word or phrase the letters of which can be rearranged to form another meaningful word or phrase
analyse v. to study in detail; to examine to discover specific information, meaning or composition
analysis n. the results obtained from examining something, or determining its composition
anguish n. severe pain; misery; intense grief
animanet n. see Lucy’s Lexicon
anon adv. (poetic or archaic) soon; in a short time
aperture n. an opening
appal v. to horrify; to shock; to dismay
apprehension n. a state of fear or anxiety about something that might happen
approbation n. praise; approval
appropriate adj. suitable; fitting
archaic adj. out of date; ancient; antiquated
arduous adj. strenuous; difficult; requiring great effort
arrogant adj. conceited; boastful; proud
artefact n. a man-made article
ashen adj. pallid; drained of colour; like ashes
aspiration n. the hope or desire to achieve something
assemble v. to gather together
assent n. agreement; compliance
assets pl. n. possessions; property
assignment n. task; mission
assuage v. to calm; to soothe
assume v. to suppose; to take for granted; to accept without proof
audit n. the process of inspection and verification, e.g. of accounts
Auf Wiedersehen! German phrase Goodbye!; See you again!
auspices (under the auspices of) phrase under the authority of; under the guidance or patronage of
avaricious adj. greedy for riches
aversion n. repugnance; extreme dislike for something or someone
avert v. to turn aside (one’s gaze)
awesome adj. very impressive; amazing; outstanding
balcony n. a projecting platform on the wall of a building, having a rail or balustrade
ballast n. heavy material providing stability or weight
BAOR abbrev. British Army On the Rhine
barrel n. the metal tube in a firearm from which the bullet or projectile emerges
bayonet n. a blade for stabbing that can be attached to a firearm
beacon n. a signal; a light or fire to attract attention
beak n. (slang) magistrate, judge, headmaster, or similar authority figure
benign adj. kindly
bewildered adj. confused; puzzled
binoculars n. optical instrument with a telescope for each eye which magnifies distant objects
bird n. (slang) an informal term for a girl or young woman
bite one’s tongue phrase to try very hard to stop oneself from saying something
bizarre adj. very unusual; odd; extraordinary
blab v. to give away a secret (in speech)
black panther n. a melanistic (black) variant of a big cat such as a leopard, cougar or jaguar
blackmail n. the use of threats (usually of disclosu
re) to obtain money or, as in Chapter 21, to influence the actions of another
bleeper n. a portable radio receiver
blighter n. an old-fashioned slang word meaning an annoying or irritating person or thing
bloody adj. (slang; swearword) a strong imprecation used to lend particular emphasis to a phrase or statement
boisterous adj. lively; unruly; unrestrained
bond v. to create a close relationship with another; to befriend
boon n. a favour
booty n. stolen valuables; plunder
booze n. (slang) any kind of alcoholic drink
botanist n. one who studies plants
bowdlerize v. to remove unwanted words or passages from an article or account; to edit; to redact
brand v. an identifying mark made on the skin, usually with a hot iron
breakthrough n. a significant discovery; a ground-breaking development
bribe n. a gift of money or goods in exchange for a favour
brood n. the young in a family; offspring
brunch n. a late morning meal, combining breakfast with lunch
bureaucracy n. a system of administration, particularly one that is rigid or impedes progress
bush n. uncultivated, wild countryside (especially in Africa and Australia)
bush meat n. the flesh of wild animals killed for food (often illegally)
butt n. the end of the stock of a rifle that is placed against the shoulder
cacophony n. an unpleasant mixture of different sounds or notes
cahoots pl.n. “in cahoots with” means in league with; in collusion
cairn n. a mound of stones, usually erected as a memorial
calamity n. a disastrous event
caldera n. the basin-like crater within a volcano
canape n. a small piece of bread, biscuit or toast covered with a tasty topping
canopy n. the highest general level of foliage in a forest, formed by the crowns of trees and penetrated by only the tallest species
captor n. one who captures and holds another captive
carburettor n. engine part that controls the air–fuel mixture
carcass n. a dead body
caricature n. an inaccurate representation of some person or thing, often exaggerating certain characteristics
