Ento)nological Society. 



6185 



mences, which proceeds unchecked until — perhaps months after the 

 bite — purging supervenes, and the animal perishes of exhaustion. 

 Some die soon after the bite is inflicted, especially if they are in gooa 

 condition, or should rain fall ; but, in general, the process of emacia- 

 tion goes on for many weeks. In some cases, the animals become 

 blind before they die, as in that of the horse mentioned by Gordon 

 Gumming. 



"*From what I have seen of the tzetze,' writes Mr. Oswell to me, 

 ' I believe that three or four flies are sufficient to kill a full-grown ox. 

 We examined about twenty of ours that were bitten and died, and the 

 appearances were similar in all. On raising the skin, we perceived a 

 glairy appearance of the muscles and flesli, which were much wasted. 

 The stomach and intestines were healthy ; heart, lungs, and liver, 

 sometimes all, but invariably one or the other, much diseased. The 

 heart in particular attracted our attention. It was no longer a firm 

 and muscular organ, but collapsed readily on compression, and had 

 the appearance of flesh that had been steeped in water. The blood 

 of the whole carcass was greatly diminished in quantity. Not more 

 than twenty pints (a small pailful) were obtained from the largest ox, 

 and this thick and albuminous; the hands, when plunged into it, 

 came out free of stain. The poison would seem to grow in the blood, 

 and, through the blood to aff'ect the vital organs. 



" ' A curious feature in the case is, that dogs, reared on milk, die if 

 bitten ; while calves, and other young sucking animals, are safe as 

 long as they suck. But a dog, reared on the meat of game, may be 

 hunted in tzetze districts in safety ! Man, and all the wild animals, 

 escape with impunity. Can the poison be alkaline, and neutralised 

 by the acid V " — In what way ? The venom of cobras, wasps, &c. 

 reddens litmus-paper. 



Proceedings of Societies. 



Entomological Society. 

 July 5, 1858. — Dr. Gray, President, in the chair. 



Donations^ 



The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 

 to the donors: — 'Proceedings of the Royal Society,' Vol. ix., No. 31 ; presented by 



XVI. 2 u 



