206 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



The effect of trees, even a banana patch, is to 

 afford protection against wind, which is the main 

 agent of health, and to preserve in the neighbour- 

 hood a permanent humid atmosphere, leading to 

 chills, and generally weakening the system. 



Mr. Kome, at Chiromo, Shire highlands, re- 

 marked to me that whenever the wind blew across 

 the marshes towards Chiromo everybody in the 

 place became ill with fever. I have also noticed 

 the same thing in West Africa and Madagascar. 



