344 JAS. J. SIMPSON—ENTOMOLOGICAL 
important in the province. No tsetse were seen at Ghebe, but this is not sur- 
prising, as the bush is very thin. It is highly probable that they occur during 
wet season. 
The foregoing notes on my journey through the Province of Bassa, embracing 
as it did about 140 miles, and covering the two main routes from Ankpa, the 
capital, to Bagana on the Benue in the north, and westward to Ghebe on the 
Niger, may serve to indicate the general types of country which occur in this 
province. The rivers and streams between Bagana and Ankpa run into the 
Benue system, while those between Ankpa and Ghebe drain directly into the 
Niger. 
The only blood-sucking flies caught or seen were Glossina palpalis, G. 
tachinoides, G. longipalpis and Chrysops silacea. C. silacea was found at Oda, 
Lafia and Aiyangba; G. tachinoides at Bagana and Dekina; G. longipalpis 
only at Auru; while Glossina palpalis occurred at practically every stream or 
pool examined, where there was a dense growth of shady bush (vide Map). 
With regard to G. longipalpis, it may be noted that this species had previously 
been recorded from Akwacha by Dr. G. J. Pirie, who found them “in the denser 
bush patches along the small watercourses.” He added “ trypanosomiasis both 
of animals (horses and dogs) and of man exists at Akwacha, especially in the 
rainy season, from May to October.” It is somewhat strange that he found this 
species “rather numerous,” but caught no G. palpalis, whereas at the time of 
my visit G. palpalis was much more abundant, and also much more widely 
distributed. 
In such a type of country as occurs in Bassa Province it is very difficult to 
indicate how the chances of attack from tsetse may be abolished or even 
diminished without involving enormous labour and expense. At the same time 
villages such as Egga, which are situated in the centre of a dense kurimi ought 
certainly to be removed into more open country; the fords on the main routes 
from Bagana and Ghebe might with great advantage be cleared of the 
surrounding bush ; and the wells and streams where water is drawn for the 
villages ought to be cleared in a similar manner. Several of the rest-camps are 
too close to the neighbouring kurimis, and, when being rebuilt, should be moved 
further away. As these improvements could be carried out by the inhabitants 
of the province through the various headmen with very little trouble, some 
attempt should be made to have them effected. The European settlement at 
Ankpa is much too near the Mabolo kurimi and, even if for no other reason, 
ought to be removed to a site on higher ground, and separated from the 
surrounding bush by at least 200 yards of clearing. 
Mention has been made of the enormous amount of trypanosomiasis which 
occurs, and the impossibility of keeping horses almost anywhere in this province. 
When it is remembered that the only three species of Gloss‘na which have been 
fourd are palpalis, tachinoides, and longipalpis, and that the last-named is confined, 
so far as one can judge, to the Akwacha region, and that the only locality where 
tachinoides has been found away from the river Benue is Dekina, the question 
naturally arises :—What is the carrier? The evidence seems to point to 
Glossina palpalis, but even were this proved to be the case, the problem would 
not end there. The further question would arise :—Where does the infection 
