CHAP. V. 
AFRICA. 
ON THE AFRICAN PROVINCE. —ITS GENERAL NATURE. —DI- 
VIDED INTO NORTHERN, EQUINOCTIAL, AND SOUTHERN. —— 
THE PECULIARITIES AND ANIMALS OF EACH. —~ MADAGASCARe 
— AFRICAN GENERA OF QUADRUPEDS AND BIRDS. 
(127.) Tue zoology of this vast peninsula assimilates in 
many respects to that of Western Asia, — a circumstance 
naturally to be expected from. the junction, in this 
direction, of these two great divisions of the earth ; 
while its northern limits, in like manner, present us 
with no inconsiderable number of the animals of Europe. 
As we recede, however, from these points, the pecu- 
liarities of the African Fauna become more apparent ; 
and soon convince us of the necessity of considering it 
as a distinct zoological region. That Nature has been 
far less lavish, both in the number and variety of her 
forms, on this continent, than on any other of similar 
extent, may be readily inferred from its peculiar form- 
ation. Vast deserts of naked sand, equal in extent to the 
entire dominions of European sovereigns, are scattered 
over this continent in various directions, affording 
neither “ green herb or limpid stream,” or even the 
most scanty means for supporting life. These deserts, 
in fact, are uninhabitable to civilised man, and are 
only traversed by wandering savages or migratory qua- 
drupeds. The fecundity of animal and of vegetable life 
is always influenced by the same causes: hence, on the 
western and southern coasts, where the soil is rich and 
moist, nature teems with life. Quadrupeds of the 
largest dimensions are stationary ; the forests echo with 
the notes of birds ; and innumerable insects are sup- 
ported by a luxuriant vegetation. 
