E.—GEOGRAPHY IOL 
English Rivers. It is, however, significant that two of the new Inter- 
national Commissions are devoted to aspects of human geography. Of 
these one deals with Over-population in its Geographical Bearings. It 
has not yet had time to develop its work fully. The other, on Types of 
Rural Habitation, has accumulated a vast amount of material contributed 
by many geographers and is likely to render great service to our science. 
- Somewhat similar in aim is the separate co-ordinated study by a group of 
German geographers upon settlements in a large variety of regions 
throughout the world, and whose papers have recently appeared. Perhaps 
the most striking instance of an organised geographical investigation 
designed to be of definite advantage in future national planning is that 
of the American Geographical Society relating to problems of pioneer 
settlement throughout the world. The firstfruits of this, which have 
already been published,* represent the results of regional studies by 
selected geographers and a synthesis by the organiser, Dr. Isaiah Bowman. 
Associated with this is the intensive work upon the Prairie Provinces of 
Canada, which occupied five years. Its results, now in course of publica- 
tion* under the editorship of Prof. W. A. Mackintosh, represent the 
first large undertaking of co-operative scholarship in the Dominion. 
I understand that it is a most comprehensive work in which geographical 
factors have received due consideration, although the authors are exponents 
of other subjects. 
I have mentioned these examples in order to indicate the extent to 
which we already depend upon the fruits of co-operative investigation. 
But it is clear that the collaborators in such projects have always been 
geographers or people whose life’s work lies in some branch of science 
or learning that can be made to serve our purpose. But I now return 
to my original theme, the scanty nature of the data upon which our 
geographical generalisations so often rest, and the long period that must 
probably elapse before trained geographers duly equipped with maps can 
cover the immense field by personal investigation. Let us consider Africa 
as an example, with special attention to its inhabitants. 
During the past decade or so an increasing interest has been taken in 
the future of the black race in Africa, and the literature bearing upon the 
relations between Europeans and Africans has already assumed consider- 
able dimensions. But before arriving at a considered judgment regarding 
the future of the native it is evidently necessary to understand the native 
as he is, the life he leads and the beliefs he holds. These are matters 
proper to the study of anthropology ; and in fact that science has dealt 
very fully with the African races and is prepared to answer most of the 
questions that are usually asked relating to the natives. Nevertheless, in 
1926 I found it necessary to point out ® that the geographical controls or 
2 F. Klute (Ed.), Die léndliche Siedlungen in verschiedenen Klimazonen, Breslau, 
1933. 
% “Pioneer Settlement, Comparative Studies,’ Amer. Geog. Soc. Special 
Publication, No. 14, New York, 1932. Isaiah Bowman, ‘ The Pioneer Fringe,’ 
ibid., No 13, New York, 1931. 
4 By Macmillan, Toronto. 
§ “Africa as a Field for Geographical Research,’ The Geographical Teacher, 
vol, xiii, pp. 462-467. 
