The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-28

In the course Of their campaigna A little
band Of explorers. with Binger in the lead
have made some remarkable Journeys through
the western Sondan. revealing to us vast ter
ritory that was almost wholly unknown. The
Hinteriand" Of the coast region Of the Gull
OF Guinea has boon occupied By number OF
Investigators. and the Germans, starting from
Cameroons. have pushed far toward Lake
Tchad. The Congo basin has contributed an
immense amount Of new material. and great
deal Of virgin territory between Abyssinia
and Victoria NyanEa and east OF that lake to
the Indian Ocean has been studied for tho
first time. The extension OF British enter.
prises In South Africa, together with the dis
covsry Of extensive new gold fields. have
made the present maps Of fully half OF the
southern part Of the continent below the Fam.
best River out OF date. and In most other parts
Of the continent investigations Of importance
have recently been carried out
1T will be interesting to indicate here some
OF the more striking features Of this impor-
tant work which. in the opinion Of many
geographers IL beyond comparison the great
est map OF Africa yet produced. It is, in
fact, critical epitome Of tho geographical
Information about Africa which the explorers
Of century have collected. fne map re-
sembles frst-class newspaper Ia this. that
It's merit depends IS much upon what the car
tographer throws away As upon what he
prints Badly surveyed routes OF explorers
are not included in the Perthes map unless
other explorations have afforded an opportu.
nifty to correct them. A very clear distinction is
made also between the facts obtained by COM
petent explorers and information based solely
upon native reports. reliable facts being boldly
delneated. while hair lines show the sort Of
data which more satisfactory Investigation is
likely to modify.
Tho history Of African exploration for hum
dred years may be studied on this map, for.
except in few Of the more thicky settled IT,
gions, like Algeria and Egypt routes and dates
OF all the important journeys Of discovery are
given. From Mungo Park to Marinel and Del
Commune We may here survey the long, In
cessant struggle that has at last opened q
great continent to our view: but the crown
ing excellence Of the map Is Che skill
and thoroughness with which the results
Of this long series Of explorations have
been compiled and presented. Those maps
are most edifying and pleasing which
convey the most vivid and accurate impress
sions Of Topographic relief OF characteristic,
natural divisions. and Of cultural aspects.
The time has not yet come when the wide
range OF Information that map may COM
petently present can be laid down with the de-
sired degree Of exactness upon the maps Of
Africa: but there Is no doubt that tho perthes
map gives more comprehensive and clearer
idea Of the aspects OF the continent than any
other publication Of the sort, and the SYM
bolism It uses to convey great variety Of
Information is easily understood.
Salt and fresh water lakes are distinguished
by differences Of color: mountains are In dark
shades OF brown: forest regions and cult
vatablelands are in shades Of green: semi arid
steppes. like the kalahari. which at times are
covered with grass. are In brown: sand wastes
are In yellow: stony. waste highlands. like the
Hammada Of the Sahara. are In white. Native
trade highways, the routes OF explorers and
the boundaries between the European powers
are delicately but clearly marked. The boun-
dnries OF native States are shown by broken
lines to indicate that they are not clearly de-
fined. The great variety and extent OF the
activities introduced by foreigners in these
latter days are shown. such as the routes OF
tho regular steamship lines. railroads. tele-
graph and cable lines. European trade routes
In the interior. consulstes. trading and mis-
sion posts.
Mr.. Hermann Habenicht is the photographer
who is carrying out this serviceable work.
which will be welcomed By all who are inter-
ested In the progress Of Africa as very valu-
able addition to our sources Of information.