Note 212 — V

It is interesting that this plant, though only lately introduced—as one must assume—has a name of its own. If the paw-paw originates from America, as is now commonly assumed, it remains the more remarkable that it has already been long naturalized in Bornu, whilst the sand-flea or ‘jigger’ (Pulex penetrans)—which we know by experience has spread over Africa the most quickly of all American products—is nowhere yet to be met with in Bornu, and in Barth’s time appears not to have penetrated farther from the coast than Bagirmi. Barth, iii. 45.