INSECTS IN SAMOA. 269 



control measures being adopted if the children are to have the protection which 

 should be theirs. 



It is said that the head-louse, Pediculus capitis, is very common, but no search 

 was made for them. The Samoans often treat the scalp with lime, sometimes 

 adding the juice of limes also. This is not only very cleansing, but it tends to 

 give a reddish-brown colour to the hair, which is much admired by them. No 

 Stomoxys or other biting flies were seen in Samoa. Certainly no effort should be 

 spared to keep them out. Examination of a single rat that had been caught in a 

 trap in a store resulted in the capture of a number of Indian plague fleas, 

 Xenopsylla cheopis. This emphasises the necessity of enforcing most rigid 

 quarantine against plague-infected ports. The dogs were badly infested with 

 ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latr.) being the species taken. This tick has 

 been shown to be concerned in the transmission of malignant jaundice of dogs in 

 South Africa and India. Closely related species of similar habits transmit 

 serious diseases of cattle. As cattle and horses are constantly being imported 

 into Samoa, it would seem most desirable for the Government to have a competent 

 veterinarian there to see that no serious diseases or important pests be introduced 

 in this way. 



While Somoa may seem to have more than its share of insects and of insect- 

 borne diseases, it is probably no worse off in this respect then many other groups 

 of islands, and it possesses this advantage : some of the islands, at least, are so 

 situated that the worst of these insect pests could be controlled with a reasonable 

 amount of effort intelligently directed. The diseases which they carry would 

 then gradually disappear. When the Governments, whose duty it is to look 

 after the welfare of the fine race of people that inhabit these islands, realise the 

 conditions there and the possibilities of improving them, something may be done 

 for their protection. 



