PECULIARITIES OF THE TETZE FLY. 243 



was our watchword, and not to be gainsaid as long 

 as the patient heavy-burdened bearers refused to 

 call out for a cessation of their toil. Many of the 

 flowers which we passed to-day were of rare beauty ; 

 one particularly struck me, it was a parasitic plant 

 that covered a mimosa from trunk to summit, its 

 flora was of the brightest orange colour, and so 

 dense were the blossoms that they entirely hid the 

 green of its foliage. 



At first I took it to be a species of Pirzis japonica, 

 but closer examination told me I was mistaken, for 

 the stranger's petals were much larger and far more 

 fleshy than the well-known home production. Perfect 

 swarms of sugar-birds surrounded it, whose beautiful 

 metallic plumage made a startling but pleasing con- 

 trast to the deep coloured flowers from which they 

 were obtaining their sustenance. Orchids also were 

 most numerous and most gorgeous in their re- 

 splendent dyes. To-day I have seen no buffalo nor 

 have I noticed any tetze fly ; however this is not 

 proof that that objectionable insect does not exist in 

 this vicinity. In fact it is well-known by travellers 

 that where the tetze exists this year, it will not be 

 found the next. Another strange circumstance in 

 connection with it, I have learned from persons of 

 vast experience in South African travel, viz. : that 

 this poisonous fly will swarm on one side of a river, 

 and not be known on the other. Even when the 

 natives have killed game on the infected shore, and 



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