INSECT FAUNA OF HUMAN EXCRKMENT 559 



Ccratopogoii species. 

 The very minute biting flies of this genus, one or more species 

 of which are known in the north woods as the ' punkie ' or 

 *no-see-um,' the latter name on account of their excessive 

 minuteness, are either aquatic in their larval habits, the larva 

 being a very long slender delicate whitish creature, or they live 

 in the sap of trees. This seems to be the only generalization 

 which has been made by previous workers. In the course of 

 the present investigation, however, specimens of the undescribed 

 species under consideration issued June 17 from miscellaneous 

 exposed fgeces collected for breeding purposes and placed under 

 cover on June 13, 1899. Another specimen was captured on 

 exposed fgeces at Travilah, Maryland, in June of the same year. 

 It is probable that this species has little significance from the 

 disease point of view but this breeding habit record is novel. 



C/n^ono7ntis halteralis Coq. 

 The little midges of the genus Chironomus breed in water, in 

 the earth, or in dung. The European C ste?-corarms is a dung 

 feeder and bears out Porchinsky's generalization as to the pres- 

 ence of viviparity in coprophagous Diptera since it is the only 

 Nemocerous fly which is viviparous. The present species, 

 which has just been described by Mr. Coquillett, was captured 

 at Washington, D. C, upon a fresh deposit of human excrement 

 May 16, 1899. It is possible that this species will ultimately be 

 found to breed in excrement. 



Family TIPULID^. 

 The insects of this family, commonly known as crane flies, 

 are common and widespread in the larval state. They are gen- 

 erally found under the surface of the ground, particularly in 

 rich or highly manured soils, in decomposing wood, or on the 

 leaves of plants or in the water. 



Liinnohia sciophila O. S. 

 The larvae of this genus are known to occur in decaying wood 

 and in fungi. The present species is a western form, originally 

 described by Osten Sacken from California. In the course of 



