PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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intention of feeding. I caught three more of this same species at Gebidi labba dehd, on the Web, and at Malka Sala, on the Dawa. It settles with an indistinct humming noise, which it makes while on the wing, and takes some time before it settles down to feed. It is well known to the Somalis by the name of "Bal ad,' and is considered by them to be dangerous to stock-camels in particular suffering greatly from their onslaughts. Although human beings are frequently attacked by them, no ill effects seen to accrue.
From Odhun to the junction of the Rivers Dawa and Ganale at Dulo (950 feet), and all along the banks of the former the " Bal ad " is more or less common.
At Gebidi labba dehd, a species of Tabanus, T. tæntola, was caught, but it was rare, as only one specimen was obtained.
At Dolo, and at Malka Duggah, and, in fact, all along the Dawa River, T. morsitans was very plentiful.
At the former place another species of Tabanus was caught, but it has not yet This specimen is not unlike been identified; only one specimen was obtained.
T. morsitans in appearance, or in its habits.
Along the Dawa River T. morsitans was very troublesome, the animals, especi ally the ponies, Leing covered with them.
H. mactans was also very common along this river--more plentiful than I ever remember having seen it.
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At Malka Sala, one specimen of T. gratus was caught; it settled on my arm and was about to start feeding.
"
was left behind, as it appears Leaving the Dawa River for Muddo, the " Bal ad to cling to the banks of the river, never being found very far from it.
Between Muddo and Banissa, Pangonia, in small numbers, were again found in the thick bush, but the Hæmatopota seem to have been left near the river.
Leaving Banissa, and passing in a north-westerly direction, the whole of Borana was traversed, and throughout this great cattle country no-biting flies were met with, except the ubiquitous Stomoxys.
Then north through Uraga, Sidamo, Western Arussi, and Gurage to the Abyssinian capital, Addis Abeba, biting flies were conspicuous by their absence, although a little to the west, down in the low-lying country on the shores of the chain of lakes in the Great Rift Valley, native reports said that there were biting flies in plenty.
It is highly probable that in the low-lying bush country, known as Gamoji, to the east of Lake Margherita, Pangonia are to be found, but the mountainous region to the west of the lake is, in all probability, free from them.
TSETSE FLIES.
During the months of November and December, down the valleys of the Rivers Web and Dawa I found tsetse flies conspicuous by their absence, and this is all the more remarkable, owing to the fact that in identically similar country, and living under somewhat similar conditions on the banks of the Juba River, a little farther south, both Glossina longipennis and Glossina pallidizes have been reported.
This absence of tsetse is hard to explain, unless it is due to the entire absence of riverine tribes, together with a marked absence of crocodiles.
During late years, owing to continual raids from the east by the Marchan and Ogaden Somalis, the Gurre tribe, a few of whom used to make gardens on the banks of the Dawa River, have now deserted them, while on the banks of the Juba River, south of Bardera, where the country is free from raiders, the Gosha have large plantations, and it is here where the tsetse is said to be most plentiful, and where, to my own knowledge, crocodiles abound.
Probably both Glossina longipennis and Glossina pallidipes live on human blood together with that of crocodiles, which abound in the lower reaches of the Juba, owing to the large population on its banks.
Not only did I not see a single tsetse fly myself, but the European traders stationed at Dolo told me that they had never seen any there or at Lúgh, the Italian station, 30-40 miles down the river.
R. E. DRAKE-BROCKMAN,
June 8th, 1909.
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My best thanks are due to Mr. E. E. Austen, of the Natural History Museum, for the trouble he has taken in identifying my collection of biting flies.
R. E. D.-B.
15794
No. 13.
THE EARL OF CREWE to THE EARL OF CROMER.
DEAR LORD CROMER,
Downing Street, 11 June, 1909. I AM about to set on foot a scheme in which I take a strong personal interest, as I think that it may play an important part in the development of the British possessions in Africa. An outline of the scheme is given in the accompanying printed correspondence,* and you will see that I shall have no lack of expert advisers to assist me in its execution. But what I feel is essential to its success is someone
at the head of affairs who, while appreciating the value of scientific research of this kind, has the knowledge of practical administration in Africa which will ensure its being conducted on business-like lines, and the high position which will give him unquestioned authority with the experts.
No one combines all these qualities in a more eminent degree than yourself, and it would be a very real pleasure and assistance to me if you could see your way to accepting the Presidency of the Committee.
In view of the already numerous demands upon your time, you will, I am sure, wish to know in the first place to what extent your leisure is likely to be still further curtailed by undertaking these new duties, and on this point I am glad to be able
to reassure you.
It is proposed that the work should be divided up among three or four technical Sub-Committees, who would report once a quarter to the General Committee of Control, and if you could find time to preside for an hour or two at these quarterly meetings I am confident' that this would be sufficient to enable you to maintain a general and adequate control over the whole organisation. I need scarcely say that your convenience would be the first consideration, and that all arrangements would Ie made to suit it.
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SIR,
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No. 14.
Yours, &c.,
CREWE.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Downing Street, July 5, 1909. I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir E. Grey, the accompanying copy of correspondence,* in which is out- lined a scheme of entomological research for the British Colonies and Protectorates in West and East Africa.
2. Funds are now available for setting the scheme on foot, and the Earl of Cromer has kindly consented to act as Chairman of the Committee of Management. A list of the members of the Committee is enclosed.
3. It will be seen that the Committee desire to keep in touch with the research work in entomology which is being carried out in Egypt and the Soudan, and Lord Crewe would suggest, for Sir E. Grey's consideration, that the spare copies of the enclosed papers should be sent to the Governments of those countries with a view to securing their co-operation.
4. A further communication will be sent to you as soon as the organization of the Committee and the plan of work have been finally settled.
I am,
&c.,
H. W. JUST.
* Nos. 2, 5, 6, 7, and 10.
† No. 15.
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