RESEARCH IN BRITISH WEST AFRICA. 335 



(/) The River Garara. 



From Izon I followed the river Garara as closely as possible to its inoutli, 

 near the village of Derri. This part is very imperfectly knowu and mapped, 

 and there is no direct route. Consequently I had to rely on native information 

 at the various towns visited, and by careful questioning tried to include all the 

 towns and villages situated on or near the river ; a sketch map (PI. XVI) is given 

 to show the route followed. To enter into the full details of this trip Avould 

 occupy more space than is available at present ; so I shall content myself with 

 giving in broad outline the most noteworthy features pertinent to the investigation 

 iu hand. On this journey I was accompanied by Dr. J. W. S. Macfie. 



The river was crossed at a point about two miles south of Izon, near the 

 village of Chini, and although it was only 6.30 a.m. G. palpalis was caught. 

 The bank of the river is everywhere covered with dense shady bush overhanging 

 the water. From this point, the route diverged considerably from the river 

 in the dii'ection of Lapai. The first day's halt was made at the village of Gau, 

 an almost impregnable mountain fortress, accessible only after a very arduous 

 climb, and ensconced on a small plateau surrounded by enormous granite boulders. 

 No biting flies were seen here, nor would one expect any. Horses bred in this 

 town showed no evidence of trypanosomiasis, nor did natives complain of any high 

 mortality or give any history of a disease which at all resembled trypanosomiasis. 

 According to the Siriki (or headman), sleeping sickness was unknown here. 



The descent from Gau is more gradual towards Lapai ; the road skirts the 

 base of a hill and passes through fairly open country. About a quarter of a mile 

 from Lapai, there is a small stream where the natives obtain their water, and 

 here both G. palpalis and G. tachiaoides were caught. The town of Lapai stands 

 on a rocky hill and is surrounded by an extensive plain, on which there are large 

 herds of Fulani cattle. These, as well as horses, seem to thrive quite well. 



From Lapai, we were again able to strike the Garara at the village of Dagu, 

 and from this point the road runs practically parallel with the river the whole 

 way to Derri. The country between Lapai and Dagu is hilly and the path is 

 very rocky in places. The village of Dagu stands in dense bush and there both 

 G. palpalis and G. tacliinoides invaded the tent in considerable numbers. 



From Dagu we proceeded to Wopa, a small town in kurimi-country, having 

 passed through several small villages (Chakun, Kuka, Nimbo Gwari and Yelwa). 

 No tsetse were seen here, but they may exist, at any rate in the wet season. 

 After Wopa the next important town we touched at was Guredi. This part of 

 the road is good and the surrounding country is covered with thin open bush. 



Through the kindness of the Eesident at Lapai, the Emir of that district sent 

 a mounted messenger to accompany us to Derri. When we reached the town of 

 Guredi, however, the latter strongly advised us not to attempt to take ponies 

 further, as he assured us they would certainly die on the way. He supported 

 his opinion by sending his own pony back to Lnpai, and walking the remainder 

 of the journey. This was certainly strong proof that he was convinced that ponies 

 could not live in this region, owing, according to him, to the poisonous nature of 

 the drinking water. He cited a case, which I have every reason to believe was 



