Niger
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Niger. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JOLIBA, ISSA, MAYO- QUARRA, or KWARA, a river of central Africa, rising near the W. coast; its length is estimated at about 2,900 miles; area of basin and that of its tributaries is 1,023,280 square miles. It rises in the region inland from Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Niger flows N. E. as far as Timbuktu. After passing Timbuktu, it flows E. for 200 miles; then turns S. E. through a rock country. Finally, bending more to the S., it is joined by a tributary of first-class size, the Benue, or Mother of Waters, a rival in volume which has come from a source 860 miles to the E. The united stream now passes through a series of bold picturesque hills b by a narrow gorge, and eventually breaks up into one of the most remarkable mangrove-covered deltas of the world. In its course it passes through much fertile valley land, while numerous towns and villages stand on its banks, and a considerable canoe commerce is prosecuted. The exploration ion of the Niger has been principally accomplished by English travelers, and Great Britain holds the protectorate of its border-lands as far as Timbuktu. Above this city the control is in the hands of the French, who have steamers on the upper stream, and forts on its banks. Slaves were formerly nearly the only article of export from the Niger, but palm oil is now the principal staple, the delta outlets being known as Oil rivers.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
ni'jer, a river of western Africa. It rises in the southwestern portion of Sudan, about 300 miles from the Atlantic, describes a wide arc to the north and east, and returns to the Atlantic again, discharging an enormous volume of water through several mouths into the Gulf of Guinea. It drains an area of about 575,000 square miles. It is 2,500 miles in length, being the third river in size in Africa. The first European to visit the Niger was Mungo Park in 1796. In 1797 he attempted a more thorough exploration and was drowned in its waters. The basin of the Niger is claimed in portions by various European powers, including France, England, and Germany. There are vast forests and much fertile land. Its uplands, waters, and jungles are still the retreat of the lion, the elephant, the hippopotamus, the crocodile, and other famous wild animals of Africa. Timbuctoo, on the upper course, is visited by ships of size. Seen from a steamboat the banks are not wholly jungle. Fields pasturing donkeys and camels, cities, and mud villages vary the monotony. Blue kingfishers nest in the banks. Black crows with white breasts strut about, flocks of pelicans rise from the shallows, and the cry of the wild guinea fowl is heard. At Timbuctoo navigation ceases. Traffic is resumed by caravan. Like the Nile, the Niger is subject to overflow. Its basin is destined to become a wealthy, productive region. See Timbuctoo ; Congo