Geographical Notes

Abstract

GREAT activity is still being displayed by German explorers in the interior of Togo-land. Captain C. von François has brought to a successful termination his journey into the country confined within the great bend of the Niger. The route taken by him was as follows: viz. Kpandu, Salaga, Jendi, Gambaga, and then across the upper course of the Volta at Bupere (the river at this spot, though more than 80 yards broad, is no longer navigable). From this point he arrived on April 19 last at Surma (11° 28° N. lat.) in the country of Mosi. He afterwards made an excursion from Gambaga to the south-west by way of Nantong to the River Volta, and returned to the coast through Adeli. In the latter place he met Dr. L. Wolf, who founded a station there on the Adado Mountains in the beginning of May, having travelled to Adeli through the eastern part of Togo-land. Dr. Wolf has, with the aid of a mercurial barometer, been able to determine numerous altitudes with greater accuracy than any measurements previously made in this part of Africa. It appears from his results that Dr. Henrici has considerably over-estimated the height of the Agome Mountains. Herr von Puttkarner, the Imperial Commissioner, made in March an excursion into the region of the French Protectorate as far as the lower course of the Mono, and then explored the country of Agotime up to the foot of the mountains. All these travellers agree in stating that the prospects of the interior of Togo-land are very favourable, both as regards agriculture and commerce. The climatic conditions of these uplands are much more favourable than those of the coast.