252 Voyage of the Novara. 



to, consisted in immediate and prolonged bleeding, pushed to 

 actual exhaustion of the animal, in the first stage of the 

 malady, as also the exhibition of 1 drachm of tartar emetic 

 and 2 drachms of calomel, or, at a later stage, of 30 grains of 

 tartar emetic twice a day. 



Another appalling scourge of the settlers in the south-west 

 district of Cape Colony is a minute, almost imperceptible 

 insect, of terrible omen, the tsetse-fly (Glossina morsitans), a 



puncture from which produces such terrible destruction among 

 horses and cattle, that several runs of land are uninhabitable 

 — nay, even the mere passing through districts which they 

 frequent, proves fatal to the draught beasts of the caravans. 

 This insect is principally encountered in copses and brush- 

 wood, very seldom in the open country, and is about the size 

 of a common house fly, but with wings a little longer. In 

 colour it resembles the honey bee. The tsetse is uncommonly 

 active, and usually escapes all attempts to catch it with the 

 hand ; but in the cool of the morning or evening it is less 

 active and quick in its movements. The poison which it 



