ZOOLOGY 197 
taken away by the workers. Reference has been made to the scaly ant-eaters 
or pangolins encountered in Liberia. Although Biittikofer found in the stomach 
of one of these ant bears a quart or so of termites, it appears that they do not 
usually eat termites but subsist largely upon the driver ants. While the pango- 
lins devour enormous quantities of these true ants, they are not present in 
sufficient numbers to bring about any appreciable diminution of these insects in 
the forest. 
Bees and wasps are also common in Liberia. Apis fasciata often builds its 
hives in hollow trees. This bee has a severe sting. While we were in Monrovia 
a small child was so severely stung by bees that it succumbed from the toxic 
effect. Among the larger invertebrates may be noted the occurrence of the 
scorpion Pandinus imperator, which is greenish blue, bluish black or, more rarely, 
a buff yellow in color. It is sometimes six inches in length and is capable of 
inflicting a very severe sting. 
Johnston has also noted the presence in Liberia of thew hip scorpion, T’itano- 
damen bassamensis. Among the spiders which also produce a painful bite are 
the large and hairy Mygalomorph (Scodra brachypoda) and a large scarlet or 
yellow and black spider of the genus Nephila. Lice are not very common in 
Liberia though both varieties Pediculus corporis and capitis were found. Neither 
ticks nor mites nor fleas are particularly troublesome in Liberia but near the 
coast the jigger or burrowing flea, Sarcopsylla penetrans, is not uncommon and 
occasionally invades the feet of natives. However, it is not nearly so prevalent 
as it is in many parts of its original home in South and Central America. Pulex 
irritans, the human flea, was not found, but a species of Xenopsylla (the plague 
rat flea) was collected in Paiata. All the fleas observed biting man were found 
to be Ctenocephalus canis, the common dog flea. 
