168 
THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ORXI- 
THODORUS MOUBATA (MURRAY, 1877). 
By GORDOK MERRIMAN, F.Z.S., F.E.S. 
Student in Medical Entomology. 
{From the Quick Laboratory, University of Cambridge.) 
With a Map. ^ 
A PRECISE knowledge of the geographical distribution of Ornithodorus 
moubata is very desirable, as it bears directly upon the distribution of 
the Relapsing Fever of Tropical Africa. It thei'efore appears desirable 
to publish the accompanying map and a list of places showing the 
•distribution of the tick. Both the map and the list are, however, of 
necessity far from perfect. 
Although the number of States from which 0. moubata has been 
recoi’ded shows that the tick possesses a ver}' wide distribution, the 
number of definitely recorded localities is small. It is therefore to be 
hoped that the empty appearance of the map may help to stimulate 
others to record exact localities relating to the distribution of 0. moubata, 
and by so doing to augment our, at present, very meagre knowledge of 
the distribution of the tick. 0. moubata, in general tei-ms, may be said 
to extend southward from Lat. 10° N. and eastward from Long. 10° E., 
it is, how'ever, from Uganda, the Congo Free State, British Central 
Africa and Portuguese West Africa that it is chiefly recorded. It occurs 
from Central Abyssinia to the Transvaal and Orange River Colony' in 
the East, across the Continent to the Congo, and from there southwards 
to German South-West Africa and the North of Cape Colony. It is 
' Now known as Orange Free State. 
