With Flashlight and Rifle ^ 



from the smoky centres ot civilisation, with their rush 

 and turmoil and the unceasing" throb and rattle of their 

 machinery, there is at this present moment bein^" enacted 

 a L^rave and moving and unique tragedy. 



As the explorer ruthlessly pursues his victory in every 

 direction, he destroys directly and indirectly everything 

 that stands in his way. The original inhabitants of entire 

 countries have to go under when thev cannot hit it ofi 

 with the invader. With them disappears a rich and 

 splendid fauna, which for thousands of years has made 

 existence possible tor the natives, but which now in a 

 few years is recklessly slaughtered. Never before in 

 the history of the world have whole hordes of animals — the 

 larger and stronger animals especially — been killed oft so 

 speedily by man. 



The flora follows the fauna. Primeval fijrests are 

 destroyed, or at least injured, and wooded districts 

 often changed into artificial deserts. With the colonist, 

 who drives out the aborigines, there come in other animals 

 which h(di) to drive out the aboriginal fauna ; and in the 

 same way the vegetable world also is supplanted. Kitchen 

 gardens and weeds spread everywhere, imprinting a new 

 stamp upon the flora. Those who are familiar with all 

 these circumstances cannot be in doubt as to what is l)ound 

 to follow. 'I"h(! result must indubitably l)e this : thai the 

 colonist, forcing c^vervthing under his rule, will destroy 

 everything that Is usek;ss to him or In his way, and 

 will seek only to have such fmna anil flora as answcT 

 to his needs or his tastes. 



I'Lxamples of this state of things are to be found in 



2 



