In this short report it is proposed to deal exclusively with the blood-sucking insects and other Arthropods which are, or may be, implicated in the transmission of disease in man and animals. In this connection, however, certain aspects, geographical and geological, are necessarily involved, but these will be introduced only when considered to be directly relevant to the main issue.

The types of the new species described in the following pages are in the British Museum (Natural History).

Select a village or any small collection of native huts where you know, either from a blood examination or from spleen palpation, that the children are infected with malaria.

The insects referred to in this paper were collected in various parts of Africa: those from Egypt by Mr. F. C. Willcocks, Entomologist to the Khedivial Agricultural Society, Cairo; those from Uganda by Mr. C. C. Gowdey, the Government Entomologist; and the remainder by Mr. S. A. Neave. The collections comprise several species which are known to be destructive to cultivated crops and fruits in various parts of the world; and others, judging by their numbers, must at least be considered of potential economic importance. Out of the total of 32 species, ten are new to science, and the lac-producing Tachardia decorella, Maskell, has not hitherto been recorded from Africa

Seeing that Glossina morsitans, the typical “tsetse” fly of writers on South Africa, has been well known for perhaps a longer period than any other member of the genus, it is a matter for great surprise that much of its life history is yet entirely unknown. A large mass of literature, dealing with its general habits, is extant, but the breeding habits and the larva have not been described. It is noteworthy that only last year a single specimen of the puparium was discovered for the first time, and when the wide distribution, the great plentitude, and the economic importance of the fly are considered, this becomes all the more remarkable.

The examination of the armature of the males of all the hitherto described species of the genus Glossina, with the exception of G. maculata, Newstead,* has not only revealed some very striking morphological characters, but has led to the discovery of three new species† and the re-establishment of Bigot's G. grossa.‡ One of these new species, G. submorsitans, Newstead, has hitherto been overlooked through its striking similarity to G. morsitans. Morphologically these two species are separable chiefly by the small but important organs herein described as the median lobes; these characters will be best understood by reference to the accompanying figures (figs. 15ml, 16ml), in which the difference is as well marked as that between the holoptic and dichoptic heads found in certain groups of Diptera. G. palpalis, R. D., and G. tachinoides, Westw., are also very closely allied in the general form of the armature of the males, but they are easily separable by the minute differential characters of the inferior claspers (figs. 9ic, 11ic).

The remarkable insect herein described belongs to the family Psyllidæ, of which relatively few species have hitherto been recorded from Africa. The pupa? (and possibly also the larvas) cover themselves with dense masses of white flocculent or wool-like wax, the separate strands of which are sometimes over one inch in length. These flocculent coverings are arranged together in large patches on both the leaves and stems of the food-plant so that they are thereby rendered most conspicuous. The habit of secreting coverings of white wax is common to many members of this family of the Homoptera; but the great length to which it attains in this species is quite exceptional and noteworthy.

The writer's original intention in publishing this paper was to give a key for the identification of those African mosquitos which might be taken by the nonspecialist for species of Culex, without attempting to form any opinions as to the value or limits of allied genera. A study of the insects, however, led to the realisation that scale characters, in this group at least, are not of very great value for separating genera, and consequently the present paper gives the author's views of the classification of the Culex group, and is more complete than it might otherwise have been. Time has not yet been available to deal with those species which have flat scales on the top of the head or on the scutellum (Stegomyia group).

The necessity for graphic representation of the distribution of insects and the diseases which are transmitted by them is now so evident as to need no special demonstration. But it is further obviously important that some uniform method should be adopted in the preparation of such maps, in order to make them intercomparable, and the object of the present notes is to suggest a comprehensive system of notation for the whole genus Glossina—a system which may be readily adapted for use in other genera or families of blood-sucking insects.

The Entomological Research Committee has received from Zomba four specimens of a new species of flea which is related to the genera Leptopsylla, Roths. (1911; type musculi, Dugès, 1832) and Palaeopsylla, Wagn. (1902; type minor, Dale, 1878 = gracilis, Tasch., 1880) but differs so much from the species belonging to these genera that it requires a separate genus. The species is especially remarkable for the development of its head and buccal organs (fig. 1). The mandibles as well as the labrum are very broad, particularly the former, and closely resemble those of Spilopsyllus cmiiculi, Dale (1878), and the Sarcopsyllidae. This peculiar parallelism also obtains in the labial palpi, which show a reduction similar to that which occurs in the fleas mentioned, being but feebly chitinized and consisting of only three distinct segments. The size of the labrum and mandibles suggests that the species fixes itself to the host by means of these organs in the same way as Spilopsyllus cunieuli, i.e., more permanently than do the majority of fleas. The structure of the head bears out this surmise inasmuch as the buccal slit extends far upwards, the frons being short, which allows the piercing organs to assume an almost horizontal position when being driven into the skin of the host.

Since the publication of my paper dealing with the taxonomic characters of the genital armature of the males of all the then known species of tsetse-flies* Mr. E. E. Austen has very kindly allowed me to examine a paratype of his Glossina medicorum; and Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall, on behalf of the Entomological Research Committee (Tropical Africa), has submitted to me the specimen of G. tabaniformis, Westwood, upon which Mr. Austen based his re-description† of the male of this species. I am extremely indebted to these gentlemen for giving me the opportunity of making a microscopical examination of these insects, as thereby it has enabled me to complete my observations on the male armature of the tsetse-flies, and also to complete the set of drawings illustrative of the main morphological characters of these organs.

Head black with pale scales; palpi black; proboscis black. Thorax and scutellum purplish brown. Abdomen black, with curved apical bands on the second, third, fourth and fifth segments and with lateral apical spots on the fifth, sixth and seventh segments. Legs black, unbanded.

The presence of trypanosomiasis in cattle in the Province of Mozambique has made the question of tsetse-flies one of considerable interest and importance. During the past two-and-a-half years the writer has lost no opportunity of gathering information as to the whereabouts of tsetse-belts. It has been very difficult, because of the inaccessibility of most parts of the Province. The northern districts of Nyasa and Mozambique, for example, are practically impenetrable except for a few miles along the coast; no roads exist, and the natives, while not actively hostile, do not favour the intrusion of the white man. The northern part of the Zambesia district and the Tete district are likewise seldom visited by white men. It was not possible to organise a system of collecting reports of fly-belts from officials because of the small number of officials in these out-of-the-way regions. The writer has, however, been enabled to visit practically all accessible parts of the Province, and by questioning officials and natives and those who have been through the more inaccessible regions, has gathered considerable data. Specimens of fly have been secured from many of the places recorded. Although the few notes given are by no means complete, it seems best, however, to place them on record now.

The following report on recent entomological investigations in Northern Nigeria is based on a short tour made by the writer, from the 11th of August, 1910, to the 21st of January, 1911. But incorporated with my own observations are numerous records made by several medical officers and other officials in the Protectorate. The present work deals exclusively with the blood-sucking insects and other arthropods which are, or may be, implicated in the transmission of disease in West Africa, and is therefore an extension of my previous report on the same subject in relation to the Gambia.

The Oshogbo and Ilesha districts of Southern Nigeria are contiguous and are situated in the north-east corner of the Western Province. They are bounded on the north and east by Northern Nigeria, on the west by the Oyo district, and on the south by the Ibadan and Ondo districts of the Western Province, and by a small part of the Central Province.

This species is not common. It is found mostly in native gardens or in gardens now fallow, preferring maize or long grass. It differs from other species in that it does not bite quickly, but “settles” itself first, as though to get a comfortable position for the legs, etc.; also in that it bites with its wings extended. H. vittata is very quick on the wing and is difficult to capture. It seems more prevalent on dull days, and was not found till the rains had well set in and the herbage was some feet high.

The theory that the larger wild mammals, commonly called “big game,” are solely and entirely responsible for the presence of tsetse-flies, has become so firmly fixed in the mind of the average “man in the street” in South Africa, that no amount of contrary argument or even proof, were such forthcoming, could ever have much effect in altering his opinion. The newcomer quickly assimilates the same idea, and after a time begins to voice it as assertively as his mentor. It is thus most difficult to obtain really reliable data. An investigator, beginning an enquiry with an open mind, finds himself flooded with such a mass of apparently well substantiated statements, provided by experienced and obviously sincere persons, that he can with difficulty keep his mind free from a certain amount of bias. Starting from the assumption that the presence of fly depends upon that of game, arguments against the continued existence of the latter quickly multiply in the public mind. I was talking to a friend the other day, and he mentioned that he had been replying to some questions upon this very subject. He was no partisan of the anti-game movement, but regretfully expressed his conviction that in order to get rid of tsetse-fly it would be necessary to abolish the larger animals. I ventured, to ask for some clear instance of this interdependence. He was unable to quote any first-hand evidence which might not have been explained away, and his main contention, in short, was, “Of course the fly is dependent upon the game, everyone with any experience knows that; ask any old hunter or native.” This, I think, about sums up the ideas of the majority of people, and, if further argument is deemed necessary, the assumed general disappearance of the fly after rinderpest is pointed to as affording conclusive proof. The presumption is, of course, that the fly, deprived of its means of subsistence, died of starvation. An acquaintance with some of the districts visited by the epidemic would however by no means indicate that this was the real cause of the phenomenon, where it occurred. A study of the effect of rinderpest upon the relations between fly and game, might indeed, were it possible always to obtain accurate data, shed some new and interesting light upon the whole subject.

The first puparium of Glossina morsitans found in nature, as mentioned in Mr. E. E. Austen's recently published “Handbook of the Tsetse-Flies,” was taken in November, 1910, from the collection of mould and humus between the roots of a large tree (Ficus sp.) near the Gorai river below the Escarpment in the Lomagundi District, Southern Rhodesia. The tree is situated about 60 to 70 yards from the actual bank of the river, as it runs at present. It is in reality growing on what was the old bank of the river, which is changing its bed gradually owing to the soft nature of the ground through which it flows. At the time of the visit “fly” was abundant in the shade of the trees bordering the river, the sandy bed of which then contained no water on the surface, the nearest open water being twelve to fifteen miles away in the Hunyani river. It was thought at the time that this was the only pupa-case secured, and a search all along the river bank produced no others. A number of empty pupa-cases of other Diptera and Lepidoptera were, however, placed in a corked phial and labelled, and on going over these later in the laboratory, the anal end of a second tsetse pupa-case was found amongst them, showing the characteristic protuberances. This spot was again visited in April, 1911, and under the same tree five more empty puparia were found, but, as before, the most diligent search elsewhere failed to produce any more. A photograph of the tree taken in November is reproduced (Pl. XVII, fig. 2).

August 17th, 1910. Between Lupitanguo Pool and Namiwawa (1).* Bright day; steady easterly breeze; fly scarce, though present throughout journey; more plentiful by pools in shade. Country thickly wooded. Water plentiful. Buffalo country.