STRONG TALKS AT UNION ON LIBERIAN CUSTOMS

Dr. R. P. Strong Hon. '16, professor in the Harvard Medical School, spoke last night in the Living Room of the Union on the customs and habits of the various tribes of Liberia, the country in which he, at the head of the Harvard Medical Expedition, spent most of his time during the past two years. He accompanied his lecture with motion pictures, showing in detail the work of the expedition.

Upon arrival in Monrovia the capital of the republic, medical investigations were immediately entered upon. Eighty six per cent of the children were found to be suffering from the effects of malaria, and, although the percentage decreased as they went inland, it was still found to be over 25 per cent. An incipient epidemic of smallpox in a small village was stopped by medical members of the expedition by isolation of the cases.

Only about one per cent of the commercial positions. Dr. Strong said, are held by English and Americans, who for the most part hold governmental posts. The natives are composed of 17 different tribes. It is very surprising, he said, that they have not arrived at a greater degree of civilization: although it is true that they are very much opposed. It is not unusual for a man in debt to pawn one or even more than one of his wives.

The Liberians are the greatest drummers in the world, according to Dr. Strong. They have an astonishing sense of rhythm, despite their rude culture. Speaking of the means of communication he said that the roads are very poor, and a tremendous length of time is taken in construction. Very frequently the roads are washed out, and the natives keep building in the same poor roadbeds.

Twenty-six hundred botanical specimens were collected in the course of the expedition, and many of them have been placed in museums of the University. It was discovered that the only difference between the forests of Africa and those of South America was in the variety of palm trees. Whereas there are several hundred species of the palms in South America, there are only 15 in Liberia.