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Show 278 MR. T. E. BUCKLEY ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL [Mar. 7, could not do better than set down the limits of each of the most important species at the time of m y visit, as accurately as it was in my power to ascertain them, adding thereto such particulars as could be obtained from the accounts of former travellers, as to the range of the species at the time of their visit. Considering the number of people who year by year visit South Africa for the purpose of shooting, it is wonderful how very little, comparatively speaking, has been written on its zoology. Many books on the sport to be met with there have appeared at different times; and from these a great deal may be learnt; but this information requires a vast amount of collating and sifting. On the larger mammals, of which we are now alone speaking, Harris's 'Wild Animals of Southern Africa' is perhaps the best book, giving, as it does, a plate and description of all those met with by the author. Dr. A. Smith's work on the Zoology of South Africa gives us descriptions and plates of only ten of the larger animals: the plates are decidedly inferior to those of Harris ; and the colouring in one or two instances is wrong. These two are the latest works on South- African mammals; and when we consider the enormous number of animals killed year by year there, aud the consequent impending extermination of these creatures, some of which even now are extremely scarce, it is to be hoped that some one will before long take in hand to set forth their complete life-history. I am glad to say that now there are game-laws both in Cape colony and Natal, which, late though it is, will at least preserve a remnant of some of the larger animals, such as the Hartebeest and Eland. Of the smaller Antelopes there are still plenty ; the existence of any of the larger species in the colonies will be noticed under the proper heading, when I could get reliable information concerning them. The Tsetse fly has been of great service in preserving animals, comparatively few hunters caring to shoot on foot in such a hot climate. This is the reason why the Zulu country has so long held large game, its southern boundary being only some seventy miles from D'Urban; but now, since it has become the fashion for the hunters to arm natives to shoot for them, even in this country, favoured as it is by abundance of grass, water, and shelter, extermination is going on rapidly-so much so that a friend writes me saying that after next winter he does not think that it will be worth his while going to hunt in his old haunts ; and yet this very country only some ten or fifteen years ago swarmed with game to an incredible extent. The result of the extermination of the game is that the Tsetse disappears, thus giving a greater extent of country for the rearing of domestic cattle. The Tsetse appears to be found mostly where there are large herds of buffaloes, and is said, in some cases, even to migrate with these animals ; at other times it appears a very local insect,-in one case a well-beaten road up country passing very close to its haunts; and, I believe, at night cattle may be driven through these localities with perfect safety, care being taken to be outside before the break of day. |
