91 



CHAP. V. 



AFRICA. 



ON THE AFRICAN PROVINCE. ITS GENERAL NATURE. DI- 

 VIDED INTO NORTHERN, EQLUNOCTIAL, AND SOUTHERN. 



THE PECULIARITIES AND ANIMALS OF EACH. MADAGASCAR. 



AFRICAN GENERA OF QUADRUPEDS AND BIRDS. 



(127.) The 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 

 f r 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. 



