An Introduction to the Geography of Sierra Leone. By Harold
Michell. (Crown Agents for the Colonies : printed by Waterlow and Sons.)—This book deserves a friendly mention not only as the fullest account of Sierra Leone that we ha-re seen, but also as a model geographical text-book for a Crown Colony. The author, who is attached to the Education Department at Freetown, has written the book for teachers and students in the schools; it is intended to arouse their interest in the geography of their own country. It is well supplied with numerous maps of Africa as a whole and of the Colony in par. ticular. As Mr. Michell has been able to draw on official sources, his information on many points is of considerable interest. Sierra Leone is as large as Scotland, but the population numbers barely a million, and its natural riches are very imperfectly utilised. Mr. Michell remarks that, although the interior is rich in forests, the Colony imports inferior pinewood from America and Scandinavia at great cost. The palm-oil industry appears to be carelessly managed, so that four-fifths of the palm- fruit gathered is wasted. Lack of means of transport is the chief obstacle to improvement. The Colony is self-supporting, and the only direct tax is a house tax of five shillings a year, which is collected through the chiefs and headmen.
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