A DANGEROUS BEETLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7567, 20 February 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A DANGEROUS BEETLE.

A STRANGE INSECT FOUND IN THE STREAMS OF MADAGASCAR. Of all the poisonous insects in Madagascar, says the Antananarivo Annual, the tsingala ia undoubtedly one of the most dangerous. It is a small black water beetle, common, I believe, in all parts of the island, and found in many streams and nearly all ponds. It is no uncommon thing for oxen to imbibe and swallow this insect while drinking, and they die in less than twenty-four hours if an antidote is not administered. It is a oomowhat rare thing to hoar of a human being becoming a victim if stung internally by it, and I am indebted to the Rev. H. T. Johnson for the following brief statement of a case which ho witnessed : He says ; —" I was travelling from Fianarantosa to Ambohi--1 mandrosa, and my bearers were hastening on, for evening was nigh at hand. The day had been very hot, and my men were thirsty, and, as is often the case, sufficient care was not taken in the selection of water, but that found in any dirty pool was esteemed a luxury, and freely partaken of. Passing by such a pool, one of my bearers stopped down and drank with his hands, and then hastily followed to carry the palanquin. I saw tho man drink, but thought no more of it, until presently I heard sounds which at first, I took little notice of; but when they continued, I turned my head and discovered that the very ir/n who only a few moments before had drunk the water, was now in the agonies of pain. He stood stretohing out both nis arms and throwing back his head in a most frantic manner, at tho same time shrieking most hideously. .My first thoughts wore speedily seconded by the words of his companions, who said,"He had swallowed a taiugala." Of course I immediately got out of my palanquin and went back to the poor fellow. He was now lying on the ground writhing in agony. His abdomen had become very swollen and his skin very hot, and I felt that unless something could bo done, and that speedily, the man must die. My other bearers seeing the extreme urgency of the case, called to passers-by, asking if anything could be done to cure their companion. One aud another who passed looked on with wonder, but could not render any assistance, and all this time the sufferer was getting worse. Presently a Betsileo was appealed to, and htrsaid he knew what would core him, but wanted to know how much money we would give for the cure. 1 said immediately that it was no time for bargaining, but that I would give him sixpence if he relieved the poor man of his sufferings. Off he ran to procure some leaves, with which he returned in about ten minutes. He soaked them in water from a stream close by, and then gave the sufferer the infusion to drink. With almost the quickness of a flash of lighting the poor fellow showed signs of relief, and began to shiver violently. Aftor drinking this infusion several times more he said that he was free from pain, but felt very weak and faint. Soon we were able to proceed to the nearest village, and I left him there for the night, thankful that his life had been spared. It was some weeks before the man got thoroughly strong and able to carry the palanquin again.