THE INSECT MINSTREL 207 



bottle-brush, I was glad to add to my stock 

 for distribution. Of this there were a number 

 of specimens. But one of the boys had 

 brought three examples of an Orthopterous 

 insect, a pneumora, which was new to me. 

 The pneumora is a large, green, bladder-like 

 creature, whose whole body has been con- 

 verted into a musical instrument; there is, in 

 fact, a complete key-board on each flank. 

 Using its trochanter as a plectrum, this insect 

 makes weird music, which can be heard at a 

 considerable distance. The youngster who 

 had brought these quaint creatures received, 

 in addition to the ordinary currency of dates, 

 a special reward of three pence. The nearest 

 shop where these could be spent was at Port 

 Nolloth, upwards of a hundred miles away. 

 This reckless liberality on my part was fraught 

 with seriously embarrassing consequences. 

 The pneumora is colloquially known as the 

 " ghoonya." 



At length we made a start. Andries was 

 so amused at the details of my caravan that 

 he almost became apoplectic. I felt sure that 

 the regard my old friend had for me was often 

 mitigated by doubts as to my sanity. The out- 

 look of Andries was limited; however, he pos- 

 sessed the saving grace of a sense of humour. 



