532 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 
The author explained the position of our knowledge when Sir John Murray 
read his Paper; and the reasons for making the first attempt on the shores of the 
Ross Sea. | 
The results of the first voyage sent out by the Royal and Royal Geographical 
Societies were passed in review in some detail. 
The work that remained for Captain Scott’s second expedition was then ex- 
plained, and reference made to the work of the first autumn and winter, including 
the very special advantage to physical science of a complete series for four years 
in one place. 
Captain Scott’s journey to the South Pole secured a complete series of obser- 
vations for magnetic declination on the way and at the Pole, with a survey by 
the way and an accurate observation fixing the position. Captain Scott’s admir- 
able system, which enabled him to make a journey which is unequalled in recent 
Polar annals, was explained. 
The probable geographical work to be achieved by Captain Scott in the coming 
season was discussed. The author then dwelt upon the work contemplated by 
Mr. Mawson and Captain Filchner ; concluding with a review of what will remain 
to be achieved after the return of the expeditions now at work. 
[For the discussion which followed the above Paper, 
see Geographical Journal, xl., p. 541, Nov. 1912.] 
3. Some Experiences of Southern Nigeria. By P. Amaury TALBOT. 
Southern Nigeria is divided by the great river running north to south, while 
transversely it is clearly separated into three belts :— 
1. The region of lagoons and creeks, of which the Niger delta itself forms 
half, and which stretches, like some colossal Venetian littoral, along the whole 
seaboard, so honeycombed with waterways that it is possible to pass from French 
Dahomey to the German Cameroons without so much as sighting the sea. This 
region is a refuge for natives of the lowest type. Its vegetation consists mostly 
of mangrove and that usual to fresh-water swamps. 
2. The forest belt, dense save where the size of the population has necessitated 
extensive clearings. From a geographical point of view this region is by far 
the most interestirg, whether as regards the formation of the land itself, its 
flora and fauna, or the origin, character, and customs of its peoples. 
3. The northern stretch of open grass-land, approximating both in physical 
features and inhabitants to those of Northern Nigeria. 
It is principally with the middle region that I propose to deal, and, since 
the land of the Yorubas to the west, and that of the Ibos in the centre, is 
comperatively well known, I would venture to draw attention more particularly 
to the eastern part, of which the Cross River is the principal waterway. _ Its 
main tributaries flowing northward are divided by the watershed of the Oban 
Hills from those of the southward-tending Calabar, Kwa, and Akwa Yafe rivers. 
A little below the fifth degree of latitude comes a line of waterfalls, where the 
three last-named rivers break down, from the granite and gneiss regions above, 
to the flat country of sedimentary deposits. 
Near the falls of the Akwa Yafe occurs a remarkable system of underground 
caves, through which flow two subterranean rivers. 
To the north stretch the outlying spurs of the Cameroons, the line of which 
is broken here and there by an occasional pass. 
The flora and fauna of the country are remarkably rich. 
Its principal inhabitants are :— 
Ododop, or Korawp, of typical forest-negro type, who have come over from the 
Cameroons. Each member of the tribe possesses a ‘bush’ soul, usually buffalo, 
antelope, or wild boar. 
Ojo and Uyanga, who have trekked from the north in quite recent times 
and whose ritual still demands human sacrifice. 
Ekoi, a semi-Bantu people, of high type, with extraordinarily interesting folk- 
lore and customs. 
All these peoples plainly show the influence of the deep ‘bush’ amid which 
