LEAVE THE TUMAT COUNTRY. 303 



and natives, and is called by the colonists the 

 "^blight:" it occurs only during the summer 

 season : the attack is sudden, no doubt proceed- 

 ing from the bite of a gnat, or some other insect. 

 I had an opportunity of witnessing a case of this 

 malady, which occurred in a native. The inte- 

 guments surrounding the orbit were puffed up so 

 much, as totally to close the eye, which was 

 found much inflamed, as in acute opthalmia, 

 and attended with symptoms, in some degree 

 similar, with severe itching and pricking pain, as 

 if sand had been lodged in it, with a profuse 

 flow of tears. This disease seldom continues for 

 more than three days, even if no remedy be ap- 

 plied. A spirit lotion has been found the most 

 beneficial application. Last summer every indi- 

 vidual at one of the farms was attacked by it in 

 both eyes, occasioning temporary blindness, and 

 much inconvenience was experienced from all 

 being attacked at the same period.* 



On the 14th of December, I left the Tumat 



* The men at one of the farms, when occupied in shearing, 

 complained of a small green-colom-ed fly annoying them ex- 

 ceedingly, by flying about their eyes ; so much so, as fre- 

 quently to oblige them to discontinue their labour : an itching 

 sensation of the eyes followed, and it seemed, to use their 

 own words, " as if they were about to have an attack of the 

 blight." 



