RESEARCH IN BRITISH WEST AFRICA. 335 
(‘) The River Garara. 
From Izon I followed the river Garara as closely as possible to its mouth, 
near the village of Derri. This part is very imperfectly known 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 te inelude all the 
towns and villages situated on or near the river ; a sketch map (PI. X VI) is given 
to show the route followed. To enter into the full details of this trip would 
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 
in hand, On this journey I was accompanied by Dr. J. W. 8S. 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 direction 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. tachinoides 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. tachinoides 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 Resident 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 Lapai, 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 
