DE. J. KTBK ON THE TSETSE FLT OF TEOPICAL AFEICA. 153 



unable to fly to a distance. On man, the effects are not more 

 than follow an ordinary mosquito bite, redness, swelling, and 

 local irritation remaining for about an hour, varying in amoimt 

 according to the state of the individual. In itself the bite is not 

 so severe as that of the larger Tabanidse. 



By night I have never been bitten by " Tsetse," nor do they fly 

 about after sunset. They are most numerous and troublesome in 

 the hot sultry weather before rains. 



"When once the attention has been directed to the fly, it cannot 

 again be overlooked, although, from its common and insignificant 

 appearance, others might easily be confounded with it by those 

 who have not before experienced it. There is therefore more 

 danger of its geographical range being exaggerated than under- 

 estimated. Wherever I have found this fly, it has been accom- 

 panied by the buftalo or elephant ; the native dog and goat are 

 the only domestic mammals I have found in a cotuatry infested by 

 it. Tet the English dog from the Cape is reported to have died 

 like horses and cattle on entering the region, a difference perhaps 

 due to breed. 



The few instances I have known of oxen taken into "fly " country 

 form no exceptions to the common experience, although, on 

 their showing the first symptoms, they were slaughtered by us to 

 save the flesh, which, when the animal is far gone, becomes un- 

 eatable even to savages who love butcher's meat and devour 

 leopards, snakes, and unclean animals. 



Although always found in company with large game, the fly 

 does not follow it everywhere ; other circumstances, still unknown, 

 check its universal distribution. 



Between Sesheke and Linyanti there is plenty of game, yet 

 the fly is limited to certain narrow spots, and in like manner be- 

 tween Sesheke and the Yictoria Palls. So are these falls shut out 

 from the south by only a narrow belt of "fly " land, which may 

 be crossed at night. 



As much of what we know on these points rests on native in- 

 formation, I would remark that where the person obtaining it 

 enjoys the confidence of the people and can speak with them in 

 a common language, without depending on interpreters, native 

 testimony on matters of fact is quite as good as European. 



The Makalolo are a people from infancy accustomed to tend 

 cattle, possessing a thorough knowledge of the most fattening 

 pastures to be sought, and noxious herbs to be avoided. Their 

 only wealth consists in cattle, which they number by thousands. 



