122 NIGERIA NORTHERN PROVINCES 



succeeded Sir Frederick Lugard's first administration. 

 Sir Frederick subsequently returned as Governor-General 

 of the amalgamated Nigeria. 



Until April 1907 the country was divided into fourteen 

 provinces, one of which, Borgu, was absorbed in Konta- 

 gora at that time, making the thirteen mentioned above. 

 By a later reconstruction the provincial limits of the two 

 provinces of Bauchi and Nupe were reformed, and the 

 provinces reconstituted under the names of the Central 

 and Niger Provinces respectively. Groups of provinces 

 were then placed under First-class Residents. Photo- 

 graphs are given of Kano and Zaria (Figs. 32 and 33). 



Natural Divisions. There is less apparent possibility of 

 defining limits to the natural conditions of any part of 

 the country than is found in the countries nearer the 

 coast. There is no afforested zone in Northern Nigeria, 

 although fairly densely wooded tracts occur in several 

 places near the larger rivers. It may be said that grass 

 land studded with well-separated trees is the condition 

 of the country throughout, the trees becoming more 

 stunted towards the northern and desert boundaries. 

 To the north of the llth degree of latitude, the botanical 

 aspect becomes different ; more trees of the Mimosa 

 group, including the gum-bearing Acacias, becoming 

 apparent. Cattle thrive well in this region, where the 

 " tsetse " fly has not yet been observed. 



Haussa Land, a term applied to the northern parts 

 of the country, alone among the British West African 

 territories, may be said to have been controlled by an 

 ordered form of government from early times, and to 

 have had a recorded history. Unfortunately these re- 

 cords were destroyed, wherever possible, by the Fulani 

 conquerors, who came from the source of the river 

 Senegal and overran the country at the beginning of the 

 last century, and whose object seemed to be to endeavour 

 to eliminate from the minds of the conquered people 

 all recollection of their previous power. In spite of 

 strenuous efforts in this direction, a few documents have 

 been preserved, and these, combined with traditions, 

 which have not had time to become completely dis- 

 torted, show that, in spite of severe wars, famines, 

 and other disturbing incidents, the Haussa has main- 

 tained his characteristic traits. 



