1 02 Join- mil of Travel and Natural History 



Of invertebrate animals, the only one mentioned by Sir Samuel, 

 besides the usual insect annoyances common to all hot countries, 

 is the Seroot fly, a scourge which, although not so fatal in its re- 



sults as the attacks of the Tsetse fly, is infinitely more annoying 

 and distressing. It worries the wild animals almost to death, 

 and, during its prevalence, drives them from the country. From 

 Sir Samuel's account, it appears that this peculiar fly is about the 

 size of a wasp, Avith an orange coloured body, with black and 

 white wings ; the proboscis is terrific ; it is double, and aj)pears to 

 be disproportioned, being two thirds the length of the entire 

 insect. When this insect attacks an animal or man, it pierces the 

 skin instantaneously, like the prick of a red hot needle driven 

 deep into the flesh; at the same time, the insect exerts every 

 muscle of its body, by buzzing with its wings, as it buries the 



