DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE 



IN 



AFRICA. 



CHAPTER I. 



General View of the Natural Features of Africa. 



Before following the career of adventure and discovery 

 in Africa, and viewing its kingdoms and regions under their 

 varied aspects, it may be interesting to take a rapid survey 

 of this continent in its original state, as it came from the 

 hands of nature. Though immense, and abounding even 

 with the most striking and surprising contrasts, yet, on a 

 general view, a certain uniformity, approaching almost to 

 monotony, appears to pervade it. From one end to the 

 other, dreary wastes of almost boundless extent ai;e epread 

 over its surface, alternating with bright intervats'of the 

 most luxuriant vegetation. These arid tracts also have 

 their borders embellished by shrubs and flowers tinted with 

 the most brilliant hues ; while a profusion of animal life in 

 all its forms distinguishes the more temperate latitudes. 



Africa, considered in relation to her place on the map, 

 forms an extensive continent, situated nearly in the centre 

 of the earth, and obstructing the great highway across the 

 ocean. Her coasts form the chief barrier to a direct mari- 

 time intercourse between the distant extremities of the 

 globe. To perform the vast circuit of her chores, and to 

 round her stormy capes, has tried the cournge and hardi- 

 hood of the greatest navigators. Could Africa cease to 

 exist, great facilities would be afforded to the communica- 

 tion between the other continents, and many new chan- 

 nels of commerce would be opened up. As she, howcvejj 



