ty are produced in abundance, and constitute the chief food of the people.

EGYPT is noted for its great antiquity, and the early civilization of its inhabitants. Its mighty pyramids, splendid obelisks, and the ruins of ancient cities, are monuments of its former greatness. The greater part of the inhabitants are Arabs, though the Turks are the ruling people. The chief commercial relations with Arabia and India are carried on by Cossier and Suez. Since the establishment of regular steam packets in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, Egypt has become the route to India for all the correspondence of Europe, as well as for the greater portion of travellers. The route from Cairo to Suez, 180 miles, is traversed by horses and vans, and the mail is conveyed in 18 hours. A railroad communication has been resolved on, and a portion of it is built. Egypt, under the government of Mehemet Ali, has made rapid progress in civilization. He has added to his territory Nubia, Kordofan, and part of Abyssinia. Cairo, the capital and largest city, is situated on the right bank of the Nile. Population, including the suburbs, estimated at 250,000. Alexandria, the chief seaport of Egypt, is near the west branch of the Nile, on the Mediterranean, 112 miles north-west of Cairo, with which it communicates by a canal and the Nile. It was once the most splendid city in the world, and the centre of science and commerce. It is now an important station in the overland route to India. Suez, on the Red Sea, is also on this route of travel.

NUBIA is situated almost entirely in the valley of the Nile, which is here so narrow as to leave no space for cultivation on its banks, and the productive districts occur in the gorges between the mountains and on the islands. An extensive transit trade is carried on with the interior of Africa and Egypt in slaves, gold dust, senna, and ostrich feathers. kim, on the Red Sea, is the only port.

Sua

ABYSSINIA joins Nubia on the south-east, and borders on the Red Sea. It forms an elevated table land, containing many fertile valleys watered by numerous rivers, many of which are tributaries of the Nile. Abyssinia, in ancient times, appears to have been the cradle of African civilization; but the early history of the people is merely traditional. They were converted to Christianity in the time of Constantine, and their first rulers seem to have possessed great influence. The present inhabitants have preserved nothing People. Route of travel. Cairo. Alexandria. Nubia. Towns. Abyssinia.

of their former power; the Turks on the one side, and the ferocious Gallas on the other, have almost entirely separated them from other nations. The empire has been divided into several petty states, the chief of which are Shoa, Tîgre', and Amhä'ra. Anko'bar, capital of the kingdom of Shoa, is the only place deserving the name of a town in Abyssinia. Massouah, on the Red Sea, is the chief seaport.

§ 3. EASTERN AFRICA.

The Region from Delagoa Bay to the Confines of Abyssinia.

THE COUNTRY OF THE SOMAULIES. The coast of Adel', as well as the country of Ajan', to the south of Cape Guardafuî', and as far as the River Juba, a little south of the equator, has no other distinctive name than Barra Somâu'li, or Land of the Somâu'lies, a mild race, of pastoral habits, and confined entirely to the coast. Berbe'ra, on the northern coast, is the chief seaport, and the seat of a great fair. The exports are coffee, sheep, gum, myrrh, ostrich feathers, and gold dust.

The coast from the equator to Delago'a Bay is known under the names of Zanguebar', Mozambique', and Sofa'la. It is chiefly occupied by negro tribes in a state of barbarism. The sovereignty, as far as Cape Delgä'do, is claimed by the Imâum' of Muscat; the remainder, as far as Delago'a Bay, by the Portuguese. The Islands of Pemba, Zanzibar', and Quî'loa, are the only important places of Zanguebar'; and Mozambique' is the only Portuguese port open to foreign

commerce.

§ 4. SOUTH AFRICA.

The Region extending from Delagoa Bay around to Cape Negro.

CAFFRA'RIA lies between Sofa'la and Cape Colony. The Caffres do not form one political community, but are divided into various tribes. They are described as hospitable, intelligent, and brave, but dishonest and superstitious; their principal occupation is that of herdsmen.

CAPE COLONY.-The portion of Africa occupied by the British colony of the Cape of Good Hope consists of the

The Somaulies. Chief seaport. Exports. From the equator to Delagoa Bay. Caffraria. Caffres. Cape Colony. Government. Productions. Cape Town.

most southern part of the continent, extending from Port Natal River on the east to the Orange River on the west. The affairs of the colony are administered by a parliament, composed of the Governor, Legislative Council, and House of Assembly, elected for a term of five years. Corn, wine, wool, oil, provisions, aloes, and fruits are the staples of this fine colony. Cape Town, the capital and largest European settlement in Africa, is the best place of refreshment for ships between Europe and the East Indies.

HOTTENTOTIA, or the Country of the Hottentots, lies northwest of Cape Colony. There are several varieties of the race, and they are a quiet, inoffensive, ignorant, filthy, and degraded class of beings.

§ 5. WESTERN AFRICA.

The Negro Country, extending from Cape Negro to Cape Blanco.

LOWER GUINEA comprises several small states, the chief of which are Bengue'la, Angola, Congo, and Loan'go. The Portuguese claim jurisdiction over the greater part of the coast, and carry on the slave trade from the principal ports. San Felipe' is the chief town of the Bengue'la country, and is principally inhabited by free negroes and slaves. St. Paul de Loan'do is the capital of Angola, St. Salvador' of Congo, and Loan'go of Loan'go.

UPPER GUINEA comprises a number of kingdoms, of which Benîn', Dä'homey, and Ashantee' are the most powerful. The coast from west to east has been divided into four regions, and named from the chief articles which they produce. These are the Grain Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Gold Coast, and the Slave Coast. Benîn', a chief town, on the Slave Coast; Ashantee, on the Gold Coast; and Ab'omey, in the interior, are important places.

LIBERIA. This is an independent republic. It was formerly a colony of free blacks and emancipated slaves from the United States, founded in 1821 by the American Colonization Society. Its independence was acknowledged by the United States and Great Britain in 1848. Thus far it has proved to be a most successful experiment for the civilization. of Western Africa. The soil is rich, producing in abundance the tropical plants and fruits.

Hottentotia. Lower Guinea. States.
St. Salvador. Loango. Upper Guinea.
Benin. Ashantee. Abomey. Liberia.

Its commerce is rapidly in

Jurisdiction. St. Felipe. St. Paul.
Kingdoms. Regions of the coast.
Soil. Commerce. Exports. Mon-

creasing in value. Camwood, palm oil, ivory, hides, wax, and pepper are important articles of export. Monrovia is the capital. The climate is unsuitable for the white race, and therefore very few reside here.

SIERRA LEONE is a colony of free negroes, established by British philanthropists in 1787 for the purpose of introducing the Christian religion and civilization into Africa. The population is composed chiefly of liberated slaves taken from slave ships captured by the British navy. Freetown is the capital.

SENEGAMBIA extends from Guinea and Liberia to the Sahara, and is inhabited by negroes intermixed with Arabs and other tribes. It is watered by the Senegal and Gambia Rivers. In natural productions it is one of the richest regions. The heat is intense, and the climate extremely unhealthy for Europeans. Teemboo' is the chief town.

§ 6. CENTRAL AFRICA.

SOUDAN comprises several powerful and many small kingdoms south of the Sahä'ra and north of the Kong Mountains. The greater part of the population are negroes, but the ruling people are Moors. Its agricultural, mineral, and animal productions supply the materials of an immense commerce, which is carried on with the Barbary States and the west coast by caravans, and by flatboats on the rivers. Very little, however, is known of this region. Timbuctoo' is the most noted of the Soudan' states. It lies north of the River Joliba, and is the centre of the caravan road from Barbary. The chief places are Timbuctoo, Saccatoo, Kemmoo, Sego, Kooka, and Warra.

ETHIOPIA is an undefined, unknown region, occupying the table land of the interior, south of Soudan'.

§ 7. AFRICAN ISLANDS.

MADAGASCAR, One of the largest islands in the world, presents a variety of surface and soil. Rice is the staple production. The inhabitants along the coast are Malays and Arabs; those of the interior are savages. Tananarivo' is the capital. Tamatave is the chief commercial town.

rovia. Sierra Leone. Population. Freetown. Senegambia. Soudan. Timbuctoo. Other towns. Ethiopia. Madagascar. Mauritius. Bourbon Island.

MAURITIUS, or the Isle of France, belongs at present to the British government. It is the scene of St. Pierre's tale of "Paul and Virginia." Port Louis is the capital.

BOURBON ISLAND, in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, is occupied by a French colony. The island is of volcanic origin, and is traversed from north to south by a chain of mountains, which divide it into two portions, differing in formation, climate, and productions. The exports are sugar, coffee, cloves, dye woods, and saltpetre.

COMORO ISLES. - These are four in number, lying midway between Cape Delgado and the north of Madagascar. Exports, cocoa nut oil and tortoise shell.

SOCOTRA ISLAND lies 120 miles east of Cape Guardafui. The population is composed chiefly of Bedouins. Aloes and other gums of the finest quality are the chief productions.

CAPE VERD ISLANDS lie about 300 miles west of the cape, in the Atlantic Ocean. Cattle, dried and salted provisions, are the chief articles of export. These islands belong to Portugal. Porto Praya is the capital.

The CANARIES are about 60 miles west of Africa. They belong to Spain, and are noted for their fruits, wines, and birds. They contain numerous mountains, some of which attain a great elevation, the Pico de Teyde, in Teneriffe, being 12,182 feet.

The MADEIRA ISLES belong to Portugal. They have long been celebrated for their wines, coffee, and tropical fruits. Funchal is the capital.

The AZORES, or WESTERN ISLES, comprise a group of nine islands, belonging to Portugal. The inhabitants are a mixture of Portuguese and negroes. The climate is very temperate and healthful, and grain crops and choice fruits are luxuriant. These islands afford a convenient resort for ships crossing the Atlantic. Fayal possesses the best harbor, and is the most frequented.

ST. HELENA, situated in the South Atlantic, 1200 miles from the coast, is noted as being the place of the imprisonment of Napoleon Bonaparte from 1815 to 1820. Nothing can exceed the variety of the vegetation, fruits, and grains produced here. Jamestown, on the north-west side, is the chief place.

ASCENSION, 800 miles north-west of St. Helena, is garrisoned by British troops, and strongly fortified, to serve as a place of refreshment for vessels employed on the coast of Africa.

Comoro Islands. Socotra. Cape Verd Islands. Port Praya. Canaries. Madeiras. Funchal. Azores. Fayal. St. Helena. Ascension.