Which is the second grand division of the globe as to size? For what is Africa distinguished? Has the geography of Africa been involved in peculiar difficulty and darkness? Did the learned among the ancients know much about the interior of the continent? Have many modern travellers perished in attempting to explore it ? What are the chief mountains of Africa? Where is the Atlas chain and which way does it extend? What part of it is the highest and how high? Where are the highest mountains in Africa and by what names are they called? Where the mountains of Kong? What are the names of the principal rivers? Where does the Nile rise? What is said of its course, length and branches ? Of its banks in Upper Egypt? How is it described as in Lower Egypt? Into what sea does it empty? What are the rise and course of the Quorra or Niger? Where does it empty? What large branch does it receive from lake Tchad? When and by what Europeans was the termination of the Niger first discovered? What kind of a stream do they represent it to be, and how wide, and through what description of country does it flow? How does the Tchadda rise, run and empty? In what part of Africa is lake Tchad? Are there any other rivers said to flow from it? Where is lake Dibbi? Lake Dembea ?

As the great body of the African continent lies within or near the torrid zone, it is more exposed to the intensity of the sun's rays than any other so large portion of the 'world. The generality of the inhabitants often behold the sun at noon almost or directly over their heads, and its effects upon them and upon the earth, are penetrating and

powerful. Thus the climate in a great measure is rendered feverish and pestilential, especially to strangers, who often perish under its in. fluence. The sea breezes which are so refreshing to islands within the tropics, are here but little felt.

The surface in many parts, is so spread out into extensive plains as to be often destitute of rivers or rivulets to cool and moisten the soil. About one third or half of Africa, is reduced by the heat to moveable barren sands, or is so baked and hardened like a rock, as to be ever incapable of vegetation or improvement. But in those parts where the surface is variegated with mountains, hills and valleys, and capable of being watered by larger and smaller streams, the soil is extremely luxuriant, and the profusion of vegetable and animal life is very great, and often excessive and noxious.

There are but two seasons throughout the most of Africa, the wet and the dry. For several months during our winter and spring, there is little or no rain. The weather is uniformly fair and the sun shines bright and with oppressive, scorching heat, drying up many of the rivers and fountains, and spreading comparative desolation over fields and forests. But early in the summer season, the windows of heaven are opened and the rains descend frequently and in torrents for seve ral months, when the springs and pools overflow the borders of the streams are widely inundated and fertilized, and a new and delightful aspect is given to the face of nature. The plains resume their verdure, and the mighty trees of the wood are dressed in all their pride. 'The most important vegetables cultivated in Africa, are rice, indian corn, yams, millet, dates, tef and a species of grain called holcus, very extensively used. The species of quadrupeds in Africa are said to be five times as numerous as in Asia, and three times as many as in all America. Among the animals of this continent, there is an uncommon proportion of wild and ferocious beasts of prey, whose dominion is in the wilderness, but which occasionally roam and prowl around the cultivated fields and the habitations of men.

The African lion is the perfection of his species; and his tremen. dous midnight roar is heard in many districts. Hyenas are numerous and fierce, and going in bands they often commit wide and dreadful rav. ages. In some parts are found the leopard and panther. The elephant in herds traverses the thick woods, and is with difficulty taken and destroyed by the negroes. He is not tamed and employed in useful services as in Asia. The single and double horned rhinoceros stalks majestically through the marshes and fens, and is a formidable foe to encounter. The hippopotamus or river horse, and the crocodile, are a great annoyance in the African rivers, and not unfrequently overset canoes, and endanger the lives of the natives.

Africa swarms with serpents of monstrous size and deadly poison. The boa constrictor is the most noted. In the less fertile parte, and on the skirts of the desert, a great variety of harmless and inoffensive animals is seen of rare and elegant forms and singular nimbleness and beauty. Here are the skipping bright-eyed antelope, of 20 different

species, and the beautifully striped zebra, and the tall giraffe or camelopard, with his long forelegs, extended neck and spotted skin. Africa also remarkably abounds in those animals that are supposed to bear the nearest resemblance to mankind, particularly the ouran-outang, who is so much like a human creature in his figure, face, and the use of reason, that he has sometimes been tamed and dressed up and habituated to some domestic exercises, such as tending oven, waiting upon table, and eating his meals with knife and fork. Baboons and apes and the various species of the monkey tribe, may be found leaping from tree to tree and chattering and screaming, in all the African woods.

These regions also teem with innumerable insects of the most trou. blesome and destructive kinds. Swarms of wild bees are often very formidable, and bands of hungry locusts, at times coming forth like clouds from the recesses of the desert, devour the fruits of the ground and of human labour, desolating rich harvests and verdant fields, and spreading destruction over whole provinces. Hosts of termites, or white ants, now and then entering a house, consume food and clothing, and sweep every thing before them. Musquitoes and black ants often entirely prevent the repose of the weary travelier and are a common molestation to the inhabitants here, as in other tropical countries. Af rica abounds in gold and iron, but is deficient in the other metals.

QUESTIONS.

In what zone is the most of Africa and to what is it peculiarly exposed? Is the sun at times nearly or quite over the heads of the people? What is said of the climate? Of the surface in many parts? How much of Africa is barren? In what parts is the soil luxuriant? How many seasons in Africa? In what part of the year is the dry season and how described? When do the rains commence? What are the principal vegetables cultivated in Africa? Does it contain many beasts of prey? What are the names of some of the animals? How are the serpents described? What are some of the harmless, beautiful animals called? What animal most resembles the human form? What are the names and description of some of the insects?

AFRICA.

PART THIRD.

INHABITANTS-CHARACTER AND MANNERS-GOVERN.

MENT-RELIGION.

The inhabitants of this continent are almost universally black or ot a dark complexion. Besides the native Africans, the principal races settled here are the Moors, Arabs, Berbers, Foulahs, Fellatabs, Hottentots and Caffres.

The Arabs are of Asiatic origin, descendants of the Saracens, the followers of Mahomet, who 1,100 years ago took possession of Northern Africa, bringing with them the camel and the Koran, and the peculiar customs of their tribes. They are of a pastoral or predatory charac

ter, and roam in great numbers among the mountains or over the deserts in that quarter.

The Moors are of Arabic or Turkish descent, but instead of living a wandering life they reside in settled habitations. They are the ruling people in the Barbary states, and are numerous in all the North Afri can cities, and in the habitable spots of the desert. They are bigoted Mahometans, and are among the most vile and depraved of the human race. The Foulahs are widely diffused in W. Africa, in the region of Se. negambia and of Sierra Leone. They are a peculiar race of Mahometan negroes, more graceful in form, more agreeable in manners, and more industrious and energetic in character than the people at large. The Fellatahs are a pastoral, but ambitious and powerful race, who for ages have been gaining ground in Central Africa. The Hottentots andCaffres are located at the S. and S. E. of the continent.

In some parts of Africa, three-fourths of the population are slaves, but they are, in general, not severely treated, and have much leisure time to idle away. Africa is divided into numberless petty states or kingdoms. They are often contending one with another; but their wars resemble childish quarrels, and are not usually carried on with much skill, heroism or bloodshed. One great object in their conflicts is to obtain captives or slaves for purposes of traffic. Within two centuries and a half, 40 millions of slaves have been sold and exported. The African forms of government are generally monarchical and absolute, and sometimes despotic. Every city, town, and village, has a chief, who is usually dependent on some higher chief or king, and his administration is often mild and beneficial.

The prevailing systems of religion are Mahometanism and Fetichism, or a mixture of both. The former has long been established

in northern Africa, and the Mahometan mallams or priests are scattered here and there, over all the habitable parts of the continent, having great influence with the natives; whispering their artful creed into the ears of the chiefs, pointing the negro children to the letters and words of the koran, and teaching them to lisp the name of Allah and Moham. med. Many of the natives are persuaded to profess the religion of the false prophet, while they still retain a fondness for their own Fetichism or idolatrous superstitions. They believe and practice sorcery, wor. ship evil spirits, and make fetishes or idols of wood, stone, paper, eggs, serpents, insects, or any object whatever, according to their own taste or choice.

cence.

The African cities are comparatively few and devoid of magnifi. Those of the natives, in the interior, are usually very large as to the ground they occupy, being surrounded by clay walls, often from 10 to 20 miles in circumference. These walls include an immense multitude of mean looking huts, but in connection with a pleasing variety of rural scenes, such as yards, gardens, trees, cultivated fields, pastures, herds and flocks. The cities of Northern Africa are more compactly built, and very populous. The streets are generally narrow and filthy, walled up on both sides, with houses flat roofed and destitute of front windows, in the Western Asiatic style, making a clumsy and gloomy appearance.

The Arabic language is most prevalent in the north of Africa, between the Mediterranean and the Niger; the Mandingo dialect between the Niger and Senegal; and it is estimated there are 43 different dialects in the Sahara, and as many as 150 within the limits of the African continent.

QUESTIONS.

What are the principal foreign or mixed races in Africa? How are the Arabs described? Where are they found? What of the Moors? Where are the Foulahs and how described? What of the Fellatahs? Where are the Hottentots and Caffres? Are there many slaves in Africa? Is Africa divided into many small states? Do they often go to war with one another, in order to procure captives or slaves to sell? What is said of the forms of government in Africa? Of the systems of religion? In what part of Africa does Mohametanism most prevail? Do many of the native negroes profess it, and at the same time hold to idolatry? What do the natives believe and practise? What do they worship? What general view may you take of the African cities? Of the cities in the interior? Of the cities in North Africa?

DESCRIPTION OF THE BARBARY STATES.

Extent 740,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 13,000,000.

The Barbary States, viz. Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli and Barca, are situated between the Mediterranean and the great Desert of Sahara. They are intersected from W. to E. by the Atlas range of mountains, which gives name to the Atlantic Ocean. Between these mountains and the Mediterranean shores, a tract of country extends from 50 to 200 miles in width, which is well watered and fertilized, and abound