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Fauna : Invertebrates 



gnat found almost all over the world in damp localities. Their 

 bite is much more irritating and painful than that of the 

 mosquito, but it does not apparently convey any germ of 



disease. 



Large grey gadflies of the genus Hamatopota are common 

 in the vicinity of rivers, and can inflict a very painful thrust 

 with the proboscis. The very handsome green-eyed, chestnut- 

 backed Pangonla or hippo fly is also abundant near large 

 streams, and inflicts a severe puncture. Another fly (not as yet 

 identified) by means of its ovipostor deposits an egg beneath 

 the surface of the skin, which develops in time into a small 

 grub that works its way out from its human host through the 

 boil or pimple which is raised by its irritation. But it must 

 be admitted that most Europeans or LiberianS; if they are 

 properly clothed, are proof against the attentions of these pests. 

 There is a species of Glossina fly allied to the tsetse, perhaps 

 identical. But the nagana or tsetse disease does not seem to 

 exist in Liberia. Nevertheless, as sleeping sickness is present 

 there, Glossina palpalis, which conveys that malady, must also 

 exist in Liberia. 



The common Flea of course has been introduced, or at 

 any rate is found, here and there, in the coast regions, though 

 not to any great extent, the climate being too damp. But the 

 jigger or burrowing flea {Sarcopsylla penetrans) has in its time 

 been a great nuisance, as in other parts of Tropical Africa. 

 This burrowing flea, which is a native of South America, 

 probably reached Liberia thirty years ago. It seems to have 

 eff'ected its first lodgment in West Africa on the northern coast 

 of Angola (Ambriz) in or about 1850, having been brought 

 over from Brazil in sand ballast in some sailing ship. From 

 Ambriz the burrowing flea penetrated north and south, but 

 chiefly to the north. It gradually travelled along the coast 



