e sea. The Niger and Shari
systems communicate, with, at high water, but one obstruction to
navigation. The connecting link is a marshy lake named Tuburi. From it
issues the Kebbi (Mao Kebi) a tributary of the Benue, and through it
flows a tributary of the Logone, the chief affluent of the Shari. The
one obstruction in the waterway is a fall of 165 ft. in the Kebbi.

_Geology._--The oldest rocks, forming the greater mass of the
hinterland, are gneisses, schists and granites of Archaean age. Along
the Benue river a sandstone (Benue sandstone) forms the banks to 14 deg.
E. Cretaceous rocks occur around the basalt platform of the Cameroon
mountain and generally along the coastal belt. Basalt and tuff, probably
of Tertiary age, form the great mass of the Cameroon mountain, also the
island of Fernando Po. Extensive areas in the interior, more especially
towards Lake Chad, are covered with black earth of alluvial or
lacustrine origin.

_Climate._--The country lies wholly within the tropics and has a
characteristic tropical climate. In the interior four seasons can be
distinguished; a comparatively dry and a wet one alternating. July to
October are the coldest months, and also bring most rain, but there is
hardly a month without rain. On the coast the temperature is high all
the year round, but on the plateau it is cooler. Malarial fever is
frequent, and even the Africans, especially those coming from other
countries, suffer from it. The middle zone of the Cameroon mountain has,
however, a temperate climate and affords excellent sites for sanatoria.

_Flora and Fauna._--The southern part of the low coast is chiefly grass
land, while the river mouths and arms of the bays are lined with
mangroves. The mountainous region is covered with primeval forest, in
which timber and valuable woods for cabinet-making are plentiful. Most
important are the _Elaeis guineensis, Sterculia acuminata_ and the wild
coffee tree. On Cameroon peak the forest ascends to 8000 ft.; above it
is grass land. Towards the east the forest gradually grows thinner,
assumes a park-like appearance, and finally disappears, wide grass
uplands taking its place. The country north of the Benue is rich and
well cultivated. Cotton and rubber are found in considerable quantities,
and fields of maize, corn, rice and sugarcane bear witness to the
fertility of the soil.

Animals are plentiful, including the great pachyderms and carnivora. The
latter prey on the various k