| Sketch Map of British WestAfrica | [Frontispiece] |
| GAMBIA AND SIERRA LEONE | |
| OPPOSITE PAGE | |
| Jolah with NativeHand-plough, Bullelai, Fogni | [3] |
| Canary Island Plough,Agricultural School, Abuko | [3] |
| Rubber Tree (Ficusvogelii) at Bathurst | [3] |
| Rubber Vine(Landolphia heudelotii) atKotoo | [9] |
| Ceara Rubber Tree(Manihot glaziovii) at Bakau | [9] |
| Rubber Tree(Castilloa elastica) at Kotoo | [9] |
| Fruits of Oil Palms, SierraLeone | [13] |
| Sweet Cassava, with BaobabTrees, Bakau | [13] |
| Indigo Dyers, McCarthyIsland | [13] |
| Sketch Map of Gambia andSierra Leone | [15] |
| Oil Palms (Elæisguineensis), Mafokoyia | [21] |
| Native collecting Oil PalmFruit, Blama | [21] |
| Kola Tree at Mano | [21] |
| Native Weaver atPendembu | [35] |
| GOLD COAST | |
| Kumassi, the Capital ofAshanti | [35] |
| Stone Vat for pounding PalmFruits, with surrounding Gutter and Oil Well, KroboPlantations | [35] |
| Sketch Map of GoldCoast | [43] |
| Cocoa at Mramra attacked byBlack Cocoa-bark Bug | [51] |
| Drying Cocoa Beans atMramra | [51] |
| Native tapping IndigenousRubber Tree (Funtumia elastica), Oboamang, Ashanti | [51] |
| “Odum” Trees(Chlorophora excelsa) | [61] |
| Para Rubber Tree(Hevea brasiliensis), tapped atAburi | [61] |
| Rubber Tree tapped,Herring-bone System Imperfect, Aburi | [61] |
| NIGERIA—SOUTHERN PROVINCES | |
| Sketch Map of SouthernNigeria | [93] |
| Straining Oil from theFibrous Pulp of the Oil Palm, Oshogbo | [97] |
| Cotton Bales, MarlboroughGinnery, Ibadan | [97] |
| Afara Tree(Terminalia superba) atOlokomeji | [97] |
| Dwarf Cattle, Illara | [119] |
| Owo | [119] |
| NIGERIA—NORTHERN PROVINCES | |
| Haussa cultivating Implements(Left to Right: I. Fatainya, II. Garma, III. Sangumi), NorthernProvinces | [119] |
| Sketch Map of NorthernNigeria | [120] |
| Shea-butter Tree(Butyrospermum Parkii), withNut-collectors, Ilorin | [130] |
| Yielding Gum Tree(Acacia caffra) at Kontagora | [130] |
| Locust-bean Tree(Parkia filicoidea) at Ilorin | [130] |
| Village of Fogola, built ofGuinea-corn Stalks | [137] |
| Outside the Emir’s Palace,Kano | [137] |
| Near the Southern Gate,Zaria | [137] |
| British Cotton GrowingAssociation Ginnery, Ogudu, Ilorin | [155] |
| Gwari Town, opposite Minna,South of Zaria | [155] |
| Cow Fulani Woman selling Milkat Gwari | [155] |
THE GAMBIA
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Geographical Position.—The Gambia Colony and Protectorate consists of a narrow tract of country following the winding course of the river from which it takes its name, for a distance of about 250 miles, and extending approximately four miles from the river on both banks.
The whole country lies between 12° 10′ and 13° 15′ north latitude and 13° 50′ and 16° 40′ west longitude. It is the most northerly of the British West African possessions.
Area and Population.—The extent of territory is said to be 3,619 square miles, much of which consists of low-lying land intersected by creeks and rivers, which under tidal influence are often densely afforested with mangroves.
According to the census of 1911 the Colony and Protectorate had populations of 7,700 and 138,401 respectively, totalling 146,101. The total of 90,404 given in the previous census is now admitted to have been below the actual amount. A large migratory farming community exists, coming annually from the adjoining countries, for the purpose of raising groundnut crops. This in 1911 numbered 3,367. Many of these immigrants are reported to have remained and established themselves permanently under the British flag.
Tribes.—The principal tribes inhabiting the Gambia are the Mandingoes, Foulahs, Joloffs, and Jolahs. The first-named are the most numerous, and are, generally speaking, Mohammedans, although there are many “Sonninkis” or spirit drinkers among them. The Foulahs are identical with the Fulanis of the Gold Coast and Northern Nigeria, and are frequently fair-skinned without negroid features. They are said to be strictly Mohammedan, and to have originated from the country near the source of the Senegal river. The Joloffs occupy the northern bank of the Gambia river, and extend well into Senegal. The Jolahs inhabit the province of Fogni, and spread into the confines of French territory towards the Casamance river. They are a curious race, given to living in small family villages, and are said to be vindictive. They are of a lower type than the three other tribes mentioned, and are jealous of their rights.
Political Divisions.—The Protectorate is divided into five districts, each under the control of a Travelling Commissioner. These districts are named in accordance with their positions: North Bank, South Bank, M‘Carthy Island, Kommbo and Fogni, and Upper River.
Natural Conditions.—The climatic conditions of the country are favourable to the breeding of cattle and horses, although in the vicinity of the river and creeks two species of tsetse fly are common. By carefully preventing animals from straying into these infested tracts the spread of fly-borne disease is held in check, and cases are comparatively rare.