346 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



and said by some people to cause blood-poisoning. 

 They torment cattle by biting them about the eyes, 

 and it is thought that they spread anthrax among 

 them. 



We noted for several years at Clarence Siding, 

 Blue Mountains, that in December and January there 

 was a large species which was a plague to us in our 

 walks in the bush. In April we found few of the 

 larger species, but there was an abundance of a 

 small type only half an inch in length. As we sat 

 reading, it was necessary to catch them Avith a net 

 or beat them with a short branch. Dozens were 

 caught in one hour, for, being very slow of fliglit 

 and most persistent in their attention to us, it was 

 easy to capture them. 



