11. Between Soudan and the Atlas range stretches the Great Desert. Toward Egypt the desert is prolonged to the shores of the Mediterranean. Over a great part of it rain never falls.

12. This desert consists partly of tracts of fine shifting sand. But most of the surface is naked but firm soil, composed of hardened sand, sandstone, granite, and quartz-rocks, often rising into ridges or hills.

13. The desolation here presented, however, is interrupted at intervals by patches of considerable extent covered with bushes and coarse grass. These oases or wadies are occasioned by subterranean springs.

14. The easiest route across the Desert to Soudan runs from Tripoli through the oasis of Fezzan to Lake Tsad. The whole of the Sahara lying east of this route is called the Libyan Desert. It is chiefly here that the oases are susceptible of cultivation. The tracts of vegetation in the western portion are fit for little else than pasture.

15. The Atlas region comprehends the States of Barbary. The northern slope of the mountains toward the Mediterranean, called the Tell,in aspect, climate, and productions, resembles the opposite coast of Europe. The southern side merges gradually into the Sahara. Some parts of the chain are considerably above the snow-line, and the highest summits attain 15,000 feet.

16. The region of the Nile and Red Sea includes Egypt, Nubia, and Abyssinia. The latter, as before stated, is the mountainous termination of the great southern table-land. Between this and the Mediterranean extends the low valley of the Nile, separated from the Red Sea on the east by a rugged, mountainous region, and from the Libyan Desert on the west by a low ridge of limestone and sandstone.

17. Of the water-systems of Africa much has yet to be ascertained. The portions which until recently have been noted on maps as "unexplored" appear to be anything but the barren and riverless deserts that were imagined. Still it may be safely stated that Africa, as a whole, is far from being well provided with lakes and streams.

18. Of the great rivers scarcely one has been traced through its entire

Questions.-11. Situation of the Great Desert? Its prolongation toward Egypt? Its. rain? 12. Sandy tracts? Character of most of the surface of the desert? 13. Patches of vegetation? By what are they occasioned? 14. Easiest route across the desert to Soudan? Libyan Desert? Its oases? Tracts of vegetation in the western Sahara? 15. What does the Atlas region comprehend? Northern slope of the mountains? Southern side? Elevation of some parts of the chain? Of the highest summits? 16. What does the region of the Nile etc. include? Relation of Abyssinia to the great southern tableland? Valley of the Nile? 17. Water systems of Africa? Character, in respect to their supply of water, of the regions which until recently were noted as unexplored? What may be said, in this connection, of Africa as a whole? 18. Acquaintance with the great rivers?

course, and little, if anything, is known of their tributaries. Some of them in their descent from the table-lands, as the Zambese and the Nile, form magnificent cataracts.

19. The lakes of Africa are perhaps less known than its rivers. Tsad, the chief lake of Soudan, varies much in size, according to the supplies received, at different seasons, from its tributaries. Its average circumference, however, is about 200 miles, and its depth from eight to fifteen feet. Its waters are fresh, and hence it is presumed to have an outlet; although none has yet been discovered.

20. The extent of the great lakes, Victoria, Nyassi, and Ujiji, is partly conjectured. They receive many streams of considerable volume, and give rise to others which flow to the ocean. Victoria Lake is lately ascertained to be the long-sought source of the Nile.

21. Climate.-Africa, within and without the tropics, and taken as a whole, displays a more elevated temperature than any other of the grand divisions of the earth's surface. The heat, however, is variously modified, as experienced on the table-lands, terraces, and lowlands.

22. The sandy and waterless waste of the Great Desert forms a peculiar climatic region. It is the hottest and driest section of the globe, and, except where refreshed by springs, incapable of sustaining either animal or vegetable life. In only one locality-Fezzan-is it reached by periodic rains.

23. The terrace regions enjoy a comparatively temperate climate, have abundance of water, and are generally in a state of cultivation. The natives of Congo call their terrace-lands the "Paradise of the World."

24. The average elevation of the southern table-lands varies from 3,000 to 4,000 feet; but as these are surrounded by mountains, they are less accessible to the winds and rains, and are consequently drier and warmer than they otherwise would be. Their climate, however, is by no means excessive, nor is water very deficient, as is evidenced by their magnificent lakes and rivers.

25. The climate of the low coast region is, with little exception, hot, moist, and sickly. The western coast has not inaptly been called "the grave of Europeans." The mortality generally results from violent in

Questions.-Their cataracts? 19. Lakes of Africa? Variable size of Lake Tsad? Its circumference etc.? Quality of its waters, and what is presumed therefrom? 20. Extent of the great lakes? Their streams? Source of the Nile? 21. Temperature of Africa? Modification of the heat in different regions? 22. Region formed by the Great Desert? Character of this region? Where reached by periodic rains? 23. Character of the terrace regions? Terrace-lands of Congo? 24. Character of the southern table-lands? Climate and water? 25. Climate of the coast region? What of the western coast? Origin of the mortality?

termittent fevers, caused by pestilential vapors from the marshes, swamps, and alluvions of the river banks.

26. The north and south parts of Africa, being within the temperate zones, enjoy moderate climates. In these regions-in Algeria and Cape Colony respectively-civilization has planted its advanced posts.

27. There are but two seasons in Africa, the wet and the dry; the periods of their prevalence, of course, varying in different sections. The wet season commences and terminates with tornadoes and tremendous storms, with lightning and thunder.

28. Vegetation.-The forests of Africa lie mostly south of the Sahara. They are of greatest extent in the Guinea countries and the neighboring parts of Senegambia and Soudan. Extensive woods occur in eastern Africa; stretching along the coast from the equator to the Tropic of Capricorn, and reaching far inland between the 8th and 25th parallels. South Africa is mostly destitute of trees or but very sparingly wooded. 29. Smaller forests are found in various sections, wherever there is a sufficient supply of rain; as upon the northern slope of the Atlas and in southeastern Soudan. Yet on nearly all sides, as we penetrate inland, the trees become fewer, and soon altogether cease to form continuous woods.

30. Africa is truly the land of the palm, various species of which flourish in all parts. The date-palm in the north and the oil-palm of the tropics are the most important. The former grows even on the edge of the desert, and its fruit enters largely into the food of the wandering tribes. The oil-palm furnishes the palm-oil of commerce.

31. The woods of Africa, although not equal in magnificence to those of Brazil, are rich in valuable timber, especially the harder kinds. Among these we find the gigantic baobab, ebony, and the timber called African teak. The butter-tree is one of the most remarkable growths of the tropical forests. The botany of southern Africa is distinguished for the number of its species of geraniums and heaths.

32. Many of the plants of other countries have been introduced both into the tropical and temperate parts of Africa. Maize is now extensively cultivated, as well as rice, wheat, and millet. A peculiar kind

Questions.-26. Climates in the north and south of Africa? Civilization in these regions? 27. Seasons in Africa, and their duration? Commencement etc. of the wet season? 28. Situation of the forests of Africa? Where, of greatest extent? Extensive woods elsewhere? Trees in South Africa? 29. Situation of smaller forests? Where do trees become fewer etc.? 80. Abundance of the palm in Africa? Most important palms? What of the former? Of the oil-palm? 31. Magnificence of the woods of Africa, and their richness in timber? Species of timber found here? Butter-tree? Distinguishing plants in southern Africa? 32. Plants introduced here? What are extensively culti

vated?

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of grain, called fundi, is cultivated in the west, and grains called teff and tocusso in Abyssinia. Coffee, indigo, cotton, and tobacco have succeeded well, and the sugar-cane in various parts. The vine is cultivated with success at the Cape of Good Hope.

33. Animals.-Africa is as rich in peculiar species as any other quarter of the globe, and especially in the carnivorous and ferocious varieties. 34. Among the wild animals, the most remarkable are several species of apes allied to the orang-outang of Sumatra and Borneo. The most noted of these are the chimpanzee and gorilla.

Questions.-Other kinds of grain? What cultivated plants are mentioned as having succeeded well? Cultivation of the vine? 33. Richness of Africa, in its animal creation? 34. Most remarkable species among its wild animals? Most noted of these?

The gorilla surpasses every other animal in its physical resemblance to man; and, in intellectual likeness, is scarcely less superior. Exceeding the average of human size, except in height, it is distinguished for its great strength and ferocity. The chimpanzee is much smaller; but in most respects bears an equal bodily resemblance to man, while in intellect it rivals the gorilla, and is milder and more tractable.

35. Baboons are found among the rocks and mountains. Many of these attain a considerable stature, and, from their superior strength and malicious disposition, are much dreaded. Monkeys in great variety occur in nearly all parts. Lemurs, which form a distinct family of the quadrumana, almost replace in Madagascar the monkey-tribes of the mainland.

36. The principal carnivorous animals are the lion, panther, leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, civet, and ichneumon. As far as our present information extends, there is only a single species of bear in Africa; and this, confined to the mountainous regions of Barbary and Abyssinia. The tiger has no place here.

37. The elephant ranks first among the thick-skinned quadrupeds. It is found in large herds in all the woody regions south of the Sahara, and is hunted solely for its ivory. The rhinoceros (including several species, mostly two-horned) has the same range. The zebra, dow, and quagga are found in most parts of the southern and central regions; and the hippopotamus in all the great rivers and lakes.

38. Antelopes occupy the place among African animals which decr hold among those of the other grand divisions. The number of species has been stated at more than sixty; some of them appearing in countless herds. One of the most remarkable is the gnu-also called the horned horse, yet quite distinct from any member of the horse genus. The giraffe or cameleopard is found from the banks of the Orange to the skirts of the Great Desert. Two or three species of buffalo inhabit the woods and marshy grounds of the interior and of the southern borders. 39. Of birds, the ostrich is the most imposing, exceeding in size the kindred species found in other parts of the globe. Bustards of many species inhabit the karroos and arid plains.

40. The Guinea fowl is peculiar to western Africa. flocks, and are mostly found in the underwood near

These birds go in ronds and rivers.

Questions.-35. Baboons? Description of many? Monkeys? Lemurs? 36. Principal carnivorous animals? Species of bear, and its habitation? What of the tiger? 87. What ranks first among the thick-skinned quadrupeds? Where is it found, and for what hunted? What of the rhinoceros? What are found in the central and southern regions? In the great rivers and lakes? 38. Antelopes? Their species and herds? The gau ? Giraffe? Buffalo? 39. Ostrich? Bustards? 40. Guinea-fowl? What of their habits, and where are they found?