278 MR. T. E. BUCKLKY ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL [Mar, 7, 



could not do better than set down the limits of each of the most 

 important species at the time of my visit, as accurately as it was in 

 my power to ascertain them, adding thereto such particulars as could 

 be obtained from the accounts of former travellers, as to the range 

 of the species at the time of their visit. 



Considering the number of people who year by year visit South 

 Africa for the purpose of shooting, it is wonderful how very little, 

 comparatively speaking, has been written on its zoology. Many 

 books on the sport to be met with there have appeared at different 

 times ; and from these a great deal may be learnt ; but this informa- 

 tion requires a vast amount of collating and sifting. On the larger 

 mammals, of which we are now alone speaking, Harris's 'Wild 

 Animals of Southern Africa ' is perhaps the best book, giving, as it 

 does, a plate and description of all those met with by the author. 

 Dr. A. Smith's work on the Zoology of South Africa gives us de- 

 scriptions and plates of only ten of the larger animals : the plates 

 are decidedly inferior to those of Harris ; and the colouring in one or 

 two instances is wrong. These two are the latest works on South- 

 African mammals ; and when we consider the enormous number of 

 animals killed year by year there, and the consequent impending ex- 

 termination of these creatures, some of which even now are extremely 

 scarce, it is to be hoped that some one will before long take in hand 

 to set forth their complete life-history. 



I am glad to say that now there are game-laws both in Cape 

 colony and Natal, which, late though it is, will at least preserve a 

 remnant of some of the larger animals, such as the Hartebeest and 

 Eland. Of the smaller Antelopes there are still plenty ; the.existence 

 of any of the larger species in the colonies will be noticed under 

 the proper heading, when I could get reliable information concern- 

 ing them. 



The Tsetse fly has been of great service in preserving animals, 

 comparatively few hunters caring to shoot on foot in such a hot 

 climate. This is the reason why the Zulu country has so long 

 held large game, its southern boundary being only some seventy 

 miles from D'Urban; but now, since it has become the fashion for 

 the hunters to arm natives to shoot for them, even in this country, 

 favoured as it is by abundance of grass, water, and shelter, extermi- 

 nation is going on rapidly — so much so that a friend writes me 

 saying that after next winter he does not think that it will be worth 

 his while going to hunt in his old haunts ; and yet this very country 

 only some ten or fifteen years ago swarmed with game to an incredible 

 extent. The result of the extermination of the game is that the 

 Tsetse disappears, thus giving a greater extent of country for the 

 rearing of domestic cattle. 



The Tsetse appears to be found mostly where there are large herds 

 of buffaloes, and is said, in some cases, even to migrate with these 

 animals ; at other times it appears a very local insect, — in one case a 

 well-beaten road up country passing very close to its haunts ; aud, I 

 believe, at night cattle may be driven through these localities with per- 

 fect safety, care being taken to be outside before the break of day. 



