EESEAECn IN BKITISH WEST AFRICA. 333 



and passes tliroiigli open bush coiiutry, beyond which is ii range of hills composed 

 of a large niunber of huge granitic bosses. Between two of these is a narrow 

 sinuous pass, in which is the Hausa town of Kumbaku. In this valley there is a 

 deep narrow ravine, in which runs a small stream which contains water during 

 the whole year. Near it were caught the following blood-sucking flies : — 

 Glossinu jjalpalis, Stiimoxys calcitruns, Fluematopota pallidipeiuds, Tabdnns 

 periineus, and another species of Tahanus similar to those already mentioned. 



The road from Kumbaku to Kogin Sirikin Pawa is very hilly and rocky for 

 about the first ten miles, after which point there is a sudden descent into the 

 valley of the river of this name. Onwards, for about five miles, the country is 

 covered with thin open bush. No biting flies were seen during this trek, but at 

 the river itself Chrysops distinctipennis and Hnemalopota decora were caught 

 around the horses and cattle crossing the ford. 



A few outstanding features in connection with this trip call for comment. 

 Geographically, the route may be considered thus. Leaving the valley of the 

 Kogin Sirikin Pawa, we crossed the watershed separating this river from the 

 lliver Dinia ; the valley of the Dinia was then traversed until at Kateri one 

 reached the watershed separating the Dinia from the Garara River, a tributary 

 of which, the Mahabei, runs southwards from Kateri. The return route 

 followed the valley of the Dinia River, and then crossed the watershed into the 

 valley of the Kogin Sirikin Pawa. Kateri, therefore, standing between the 

 Rivers Dinia and Garara, is subject to the influences of both, at any rate in so 

 far as its Glossiiia supply is concerned. 



The whole of this part of the country may be described as kurimi-beariug, and 

 it may safely be said that where the country has this character strongly 

 accentuated, G. pulpalis will be found. G. tachinoides was caught at only one 

 place, namely, Kurimi-n-Iya, while Haematoputa pallidipennis occurs throughout 

 this whole region. 



Sleeping sickness was found at Kateri, but doubtless occurs in other villages 

 in similar situations. The removal of such villages to open ground and the 

 clearing of the dense bush which surrounds the wells, is strongly to be 

 recommended. 



(/t) Minna to Izon. 



In order to make as complete a survey as possible of the Garara River, 1 

 first proposed to continue southwards from Kateri, but owing to the unsettled 

 condition of this part of the country, on the advice of the Resident, I returned 

 to Minna by rail, and following the main Abuja road, struck the Garara River 

 at Izon. This road passes through Paiko, Shaku and Tufa." 



The first part of the journey is through gently undulating country and thick 

 bush. About half-way to Paiko, the Bako River has to be crossed. This river 

 was very low in December, but in the height of the rains is about 50 yards wide, 



* Neither Shaku nor Tufa is shown on the map, but a study of the text will give their 

 approximate position. 



