NATURAL HISTORY. 237 
remained undetermined, many supposing it to live para- 
sitically on other insects. I believe, however, that I have 
seen it in a very tiny black wasp, so small as to be taken 
for a black fly, but perfectly capable of stinging if caught 
and much resembling the female in miniature. The white 
Termites are of course as prevalent here as everywhere in 
tropical Africa, and work the same mischief to all wooden 
buildings. 
7 Amongst the ants is a species of Ponera* (perhaps 
P. grandis) and a terrible red ant, called by the Zanzibaris 
“maji moto” or “hot water,” from the terrible scalding 
sensation its bite produces. When a great army of these 
ants takes a dwelling-house in its line of march it is wiser 
to clear out and leave them the road free. At the same 
time, a cordon of hot wood ashes does a: great deal to 
make them turn from their road. Many species of small 
ants work terrible mischief amongst one’s collections, 
devouring dried plants, entomological specimens, and 
skinned birds with equal relish and despatch. Fatal also 
is it to leave your sugar or sweet things open and un- 
protected ; once you do so, you must be content to throw 
them away, or eat them under the form of compéte de 
fourmis, for the masses of gluttonous ants find sweet 
suicide in these saccharine pitfalls. 
I am glad to say that the common flea is unknown on 
the Upper Congo, or anywhere on this river; in fact, 
where Portuguese influence has not spread. But, lest: this 
exemption from such an odious pest might make Central 
African man too contented with his mundane existence, 
kind Providence has introduced from America into these 
too happy regions a terrible creature—the “ jigger,” 
“chigoe,” or “burrowing flea” (Sarcopsyllus penetrans). 
Making its first appearance on the West African coasts at 
Ambriz in 1855, this horrible little jigger has spread all 
over Western Africa from Sierra Leone to Mossamedes 
with astonishing rapidity. Its progress inland, though as 
certain, is less speedy than along the coast. However, it 
* This large ant exhales a most disgusting odour; especially when 
crushed. 
