AFRICA SINCE ISSS 
171 
covering the valley of the upper Nile, wrested from Egypt by 
the Mahdists ten years ago, have sent a body of English troops, 
with an army of Sudanese and Egyptians, under English 
officers, from Cairo up the Nile to Dongola, between the fourth 
and fifth cataracts, in the expectation that the Mahdists and 
Dervishes will be drawn from Kassala to attack the English. If 
the latter are successful they will probably march up the valley 
to Khartum. If they are unsuccessful it is feared that the 
Mahdists will march down the valley to Cairo. 
To an American it seems difficult to understand the reason 
that led Italy to attempt the acquisition of such a territory in 
Africa, and why Signor Crispi, under whose ministry it was 
undertaken, should assert that “ colonial extension is a vital 
question — the advantage which it brings not being translatable 
into figures.” 
Unfortunately for Signor Crispi it has been translated into 
figures which show a large and serious deficit in Italian finances. 
THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF AFRICA AS THEY AFFECT ITS ECO- 
NOMIC VALUE, FUTURE OCCUPATION, AND CIVILIZATION. 
The growth and prosperity of a country depend on its forma- 
tion, including its mountains, temperature, and rainfall, its 
mineral and vegetable productions, and its facilities for inter- 
communication. 
Africa is unlike the other continents, especially in the uniform- 
ity of its topography and in its temperature. It is a great penin- 
sula, without islands, indentations, or harbors on its coast. This 
difference is especially exemplified by the Mediterranean coasts 
of Africa and Europe. The former is a long continued sand 
beach, without a break and with only one or two good liarbors, 
while on the European side are the great j)eninsulas of Sj)ain, 
Italy, and Greece, everywhere indented with island-studded 
seas and with bays and harbors. 
Africa has a coastline of only 15,000 miles. If it was as long 
as that of Euroi)e, in proportion to the size of the continent, it 
would be 57,000 miles long. 
The relief of the land, instead of being centered in long and 
lofty mountain ranges, lias been spread over the (continent with 
wonderful efiuality, forming high jilateaus, witli terraces to the 
ocean, down which the water ruslies in rajiids or over high falls, 
which render the great rivers impo.ssible of navigation. Notwith- 
