vaded by the French under Bonaparte in 1798: but in 1801, the country submitted to the British, and at the peace of Amiens, it was restored to the Ottoman Porte. The present Pasha Mehemed Ali has recently declared himself independent of the Grand Signor, and Egypt may now be considered a sovereign state.

CHAPTER XCIX.— AFRICAN ISLANDS.

Or the African islands, some lie in the Eastern, or Indian Ocean, and some in the Western, or Atlantic. We shall begin with those in the Indian Ocean; the chief of which are, Socotra, the Comoro islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Bourbon.

SOCOTRA is situated thirty leagues to the eastward of Cape Guardefan. It is eighty miles long, and fiftyfour broad, and has two good harbors. It is very well peopled, and yields most of the fruits and plants which are usually found within the tropics, with frankincense, gum-tragacanth, and aloes. The inhabitants are of Arabian extraction, and are under the government of an independent prince or sheik.

The COMORO ISLES are five: Joanna, Mayotta, Mohilla, Angazei, and Comoro. The Grand Comoro is fifty miles long and fifteen broad, and is chiefly composed of mountains, which unite near the centre, where the summit is about 7500 feet in height. Joanna, or Hinzuan, is about thirty miles long and fifteen broad, and affords plenty of provisions and tropical fruit. The inhabitants are partly of Arabian descent, and partly of African origin, and are in general mild and humane.

MADAGASCAR is the largest of the African islands, being above 900 miles in length from north to south, and generally between 200 and 300 miles broad. The sea rolls with great rapidity, and is extremely rough, between this island and the continent, forming a channel or passage, through which European ships in their voyage to and from India frequently sail.

Madagascar is a pleasant, and fertile country, abounding in sugar, honey, fruit-trees, valuable gums, corn, cattle, poultry, precious stones, iron, some silver, copper, and tin. It affords an agreeable variety of hills, valleys, woods, and plains and it is watered by numerous rivers. The air is generally temperate, and said to be very healthy, though in a hot climate. Among the inhabitants are white and black tribes, and also people of color. The whites and those of a tawny complexion, who inhabit the coasts, are the offspring of the Arabs, as is evident from their language and their religious rites; but here are no mosques or temples, nor any stated worship, except that they offer sacrifices of beasts on particular occasions: as when sick, when they plant yams or rice, when they hold their assemblies, circumcise their children, declare war, enter into new-built houses, or bury their dead. Some of their ceremonies and practices resemble the Jewish, whence it had been conjectured that they are the posterity of Jews who formerly settled here. This island was discovered by the Portuguese, and the French took possession of it in 1641; but, the people disliking the government, they were driven out in 1652; since which time the natives have had, with the exception of a few settlements of Europeans, the sole possession of the island, under a number of petty princes, who make war upon each other for slaves and plunder.

MAURITIUS was so called by the Dutch (who first touched here in 1598,) in honor of prince Maurice their stadtholder; but it is now generally styled the Isle of France. It is about 400 miles east of Madagascar. It is of an oval form, about 140 miles in circumference, with a fine harbor, secure against

any wind that blows, and 100 fathoms deep at the entrance. The climate is healthy and pleasant. The mountains, of which there are many, and some so high that their tops are covered with snow, produce excellent ebony, beside various other kinds of valuable wood, two of which greatly resemble ebony in quality; one red, the other yellow. The island is well watered, and though the soil is not the most fruitful, yields plenty of tobacco, rice, fruit, cotton, indigo, sugar, and cloves, and feeds a great number of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep. It was formerly subject to the Dutch; but the French gained posses sion of it in 1715. By the English it was taken in 1810, and is still in their possession. Pop. 71,819, three fourths of whom are slaves.

BOURBON is situated about 300 miles east of Madagascar, and is about 90 miles in circuit. There are many good roads for shipping round Bourbon, particularly on the north and south sides; but hardly a single harbor where ships can ride secure against those hurricanes which blow during the monsoons. Indeed the coast is so surrounded with blind rocks, sunk a few feet below the water, that coasting is at all times dangerous. On the southern extremity is a volcano, which continually throws out flames and smoke, with a hideous roaring noise. The climate, though extremely hot, is healthy, being refresh ed with cooling gales, that blow in the morning and evening from the sea and land; sometimes, however, terrible hurricanes shake the whole island almost to its foundations, but generally without any other bad consequence than frightening the inhabitants. The island abounds in springs and brooks, and produces aloes, white pepper, ebony, palm, and other kinds of wood, and fruit-trees. Many of the trees yield odoriferous gums and resins, particularly benzoin of an excellent sort, in great plenty. The rivers are well stocked with fish, the coast with land and sea tortoises, and every part of the country with horned cattle, as well as hogs and goats. Ambergris, coral, and the most beautiful shells, are found upon the shore. The woods are full of turtledoves, perroquets, pigeons, and a great variety of other birds, beautiful to the eye and pleasant to the palate. The French first settled here in 1672; and, though they were dispossessed of the island by the English in the last war, they regained it by the treaty of peace. Pop. 45,375, most of whom are slaves. The following islands lie on the Western coast.

The GUINEA ISLANDS. In the Gulf of Guinea are several islands, the largest of which are St Thomas, Prince's Island, and Fernando Po. The first two belong to the Portuguese. On Fernando Po, the British are now forming a settlement.

The CAPE-VERDE ISLANDS farther north, are so called from a cape of that name, near the river Gambia, over against which they lie, at the dis tance of 300 miles. They were first discovered in 1460 by the Portuguese, and are about twenty in number; but some of them, being only barren uninhabited rocks, are unworthy of notice. Sant-Iago, Antonio, and Nicola, are the most considerable. One is a mere volcano, and is therefore called Fogo. The air is frequently very hot, and in some of these islands, very unwholesome. They are inhabited by Europeans, or the descendants of Europeans, and negroes.

Sant-Iago is 140 miles in circuit, and is the most fruitful; yet it is mountainous, and has much barren land in it. Its produce is sugar, cotton, some wine, Indian corn, cocoa-nuts, oranges, and other tropical fruits, plenty of roots, and garden vegetables; but the plant of most consequence is the madder, which grows in abundance among the cliffs.

Praya is on the east side, has a good port, and is seldom without ships, those outward-bound to Guinea or to the East Indies, often touching here for water and refreshments.

In the island of Mayo, belonging to this group, immense quantities of salt are made by the heat of the sun from the sea-water, which, at spring-tides, is received into a sort of pan formed by a sand bank that runs along the coast

for several miles. Here the English and Americans, carry on a considerable trade for salt. The salt costs nothing, except for raking it together, wheeling it out of the pond, and carrying it on asses to the boats, which is done at a very cheap rate. Asses are also an article of trade at this island, whence they are conveyed to the West Indies.

The CANARIES, anciently called the Fortunate Islands, are situated at the distance of 150 miles southwest of Morocco. Their particular names are, the Grand Canary, Teneriffe, Palma, Gomera, Hierro or Ferro, FuerteVentura, and Lancerota. These islands enjoy a pure temperate air, and abound in the most delicious fruit, especially grapes, from which a rich species of wineis made. The Canaries also produce those beautiful birds which bear their name, and are now so common in Europe and America.

Teneriffe, the largest island of this group, is about 120 miles in circuit; a fruitful country, abounding in corn, wine and oil, though it is encumbered with mountains. The highest point is called the Peak or Pic. The ascent to this elevated spot is not so very hazardous or difficult as it was long imagined to be. From Orotava a deep ravine commences; a chesnut forest then appears, covering the flank of those mountains which form a central chain across the island. A series of verdant hills follow; after which the track leads across a steep mass of lava rock, worn into ravines, and exhibiting a thin surface of yellow pumice. At length an undulated plain spreads itself, like a fan, to a great extent, until it terminates in the second region of the peak and a range of precipices. A steep mountain of pumice is next ascended, and varied masses of lava require to be passed, before the summit of this stage of the mountain is attained. The foot of the cone is then reached; and the subsequent ascent is rendered troublesome and fatiguing by the excessive steepness of the cone. The feet of adventurous visitors sink into the ashes at every step, and quantities of pumice and lava are rolled down upon them. Of the highest part, the superficial extent is about an acre and a half; and this is itself a small crater, in which sulphurous heat is observable. The height of the Pic is calculated at 13,265 feet.

Santa Cruz is the capital of Teneriffe, and the seat of government for all the seven islands. Though not large, it is a well-built city. Laguna exceeds it in magnitude, but has a mean appearance. Out of 150,000 persons, who form the whole population of the Canaries, 60,000 may be assigned to Teneriffe.

Fuerte-Ventura is larger than the Grand Canary; but it scarcely contains 9000 inhabitants, while the latter has about 45,000. One island is remarkable for drought; the other has a sufficient supply of moisture to produce such fertility, that there are two, and sometimes three, harvests of wheat and maize in one year hence the Great Canary is called the granary of the insular group.

MADEIRA is about 60 miles long and 40 broad, and consists of one continued hill of a considerable height, extending from east to west; the declivity of which, on the south side, is cultivated, and interspersed with vineyards. In the midst of this slope the merchants have fixed their country-seats, which form a very agreeable prospect. The chief town, named Funchal, stands on the southern side of the island: toward the sea, it is defended by a high wall with a battery, and is the only place where it is possible for a boat to land; and even there the beach is covered with large stones, and violent surf continually beats upon it. Of the bay, on which the town borders, the extremities are formed by two steep promontories, composed of volcanic rocks. may rather be called an inconvenient road than a good harbor. Though the city is the seat of the governor, the bishop, and the court of the inquisition, it is far from being elegant or handsome. It is irregularly built; the streets are narrow, crooked, and ill-paved, and are generally in a very dirty state. The churches and convents are numerous; but they are not remarkable for

It

beauty or magnificence, though some, and more particularly the cathedral, are richly decorated. The population of the town is about 15,000; and of the whole island 98,800. This island is held by the Portuguese, and produces wine and fruit in great abundance. It is less fruitful in corn, from the rocky nature of the soil. Sugar-canes used to thrive in it: but they are not at pre sent much cultivated. The inhabitants make excellent sweetmeats, and have the art of preserving citrons and oranges, and making marmalade and perfumed pastes, which exceed those of Genoa. The little sugar they make is very fine, and has a fragrant odor. This indeed is said to be the first place in the west where that manufacture was set on foot; whence it was carried to Brazil.

The climate of Madeira is very hot for a great part of the year, but is so far from being insalubrious, that invalids resort to it from other countries; and, notwithstanding its heat, it is remarkably free from venomous animals. It has a rainy season, which necessarily varies the temperature. Some years ago, a water-spout, as it was called, or a surcharged cloud, burst over the island, and swelled the rivulets to such an excess, that dreadful inundations ensued. The country, and the environs of the city, were ravaged by the torrents houses and farms were washed away, and many lives were lost. The natives are generally of a middle stature, and have dark or swarthy com plexions.

CHAPTER C.-GENERAL VIEW OF AFRICA.

1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. Africa is a peninsula joined to the continent of Asia on the northeast by the isthmus of Suez. It is bounded north by the Mediterranean, east by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, south by the Southern Ocean, and west by the Atlantic. It extends from 37° 4′ 45′′ N. to 34° 24' S. lat. and from 51° 40′ E. to 18° 10′ W. lon. and contains 13,450,000 square miles.

2. MOUNTAINS. The great Atlas chain consists of 5 or 6 ridges stretching along the northwestern coast from the western to the eastern part of the Barbary States. That part of it which overlooks the plains of Morocco is estimated to be 13,200 feet above the level of the sea. These mountains are covered with thick forests of wild olive, cedar, poplar, oak, cork and juniper. The Gebel Kumra or Mountains of the Moon, are very little known, but are supposed to extend from Abyssinia towards Central Africa. To the north of Upper Guinea is a range extending east and west called the Mountains of Kong. On the southeastern coast are the Mountains of Lupata. Towards the cape of Good Hope are many lofty ranges, of which the Snowy Mountains are the highest. 3. DESERTS. The Desert of Zahara, occupies a great part of Northern Africa, extending from Egypt to the Atlantic. The Great Southern Desert, is supposed to occupy most of the interior to the South. These deserts form a prominent feature of the country: no other portion of the globe exhibits anything comparable to them. They are oceans of sand under a burning sky. No cooling breezes freshen the air; the sun descends in overpowering force; the winds scorch as they pass, and bring with them billows of sand which sometimes swallow up whole caravans and armies, and suffocate them in their pathless depths. A singular phenomenon which these deserts exhibit is the Mirage, an optical deception produced by the powerful rays of the sun upon the broad surface of sand, which often cheats the eye of the thirsty traveller with the image of a lake of water in the midst of the desert. In Egypt it is not un

common to see the towers and minarets of a city reflected by the mirage upon the plain before it, with such distinctness that the spectator finds it impossible

not to believe it a wide sheet of water spread before his eyes, rather than a dry expanse of sand.

4. RIVERS. The two great rivers of Africa are the Nile and Niger. The source of the former is unknown, and the outlet of the latter has but just been discovered. The Nile is the larger stream. It probably rises in that elevated region toward the centre of Africa called the Mountains of the Moon, and flows northerly into the Mediterranean. It enters the sea by two channels, forming an island at its mouth called the Delta. The heavy rains of the tropical parts of Africa swell the Nile to an inundation every year. The Niger or Quorra waters the western parts of Nigritia and the central part of Guinea. The other rivers of Africa so far as we have any knowledge, are inconsiderable in comparison with the above; but the Congo appears to be the outlet of a great stream.

5. CLIMATE. Africa is the hottest country on the face of the globe. It is intersected by the equator, and the greater part of it lies within the torrid zone. The Simoom is a hot, suffocating wind blowing from the desert, and carrying destruction to all who breathe it. On the Gold Coast, there blows a northeast wind called the harmattan which kills the grass and vegetables. The transition from one season to another is generally accompanied by thunder-storms and hurricanes.

6. NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. Africa produces the baobab, or calabash tree, with a mass of foliage 120 feet in diameter; the betan, 120 feet in height; the majestic palm-tree; the shea, or butter tree; the orange, lemon, pomegranate, tamarind, and pine-apple; the coffee plant, vine, fig, citron, sugar-cane, acacia, rice, yam, indigo, pepper, wheat, barley, cotton, and innumerable spice plants.

7. MINERALS. Iron is found in some of the central and northern parts; copper, silver and quicksilver in the Atlas mountains; gold in various parts, and mineral salt in the northern, southern and eastern parts.

8. ANIMALS. The animal kingdom of Africa has not been thoroughly explored, yet it is known to abound in species which are either remarkable for their magnitude or their singular qualities, we shall only attempt to describe a few of them.

The Lion. This animal from his great strength and fierceness is placed at the head of the beasts of prey. His roar is said to be tremendous, and when in the act of seizing his prey, this roar is heightened into a scream. The mode of his attack is generally by surprise. Approaching slowly and silently till within a leap of his prey, the lion springs with a force which is generally thought to deprive its victim of life. His muscular strength is such that he is