102 THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



mised to observe by lantern ligbt tlie results of our experiments with, the 

 bran and flour mixtures respectively. So after watching some spraying of 

 hedges around a clover field, I returned to the town. 



Late that night Mr. Moore met me in town and seemed very much 

 pleased with the experiments. He reported the poisoned flour a decided 

 success. He had less to say about the poisoned bran. 



Illness during Sunday, July 28th, prevented my visiting any of the 

 operations which I heard were going on all that day. A few farmers, 

 however, met me and made enquiries how to fight the pest. At the request 

 of several of the most intelligent farmers, I arranged early Monday morning 

 for the publication and distribution of 1,000 leaflets giving instructions 

 how to combat the caterpillars. Having seen to this and visited two in- 

 fested farms where I saw that the foe was still under control I felt com- 

 pelled by continued illness to return to Guelph at once. 



It may be of interest to note that on at least two farms large flocks of 

 cowbirds were seen feeding upon the caterpillars. I looked for signs of 

 Tachina flies and other parasites, but saw none attacking the caterpillars; 

 these were, however, great numbers of cocoons of Braconids to be found on 

 the clover leaves. I brought some of these home and reared several adults 

 from them. 



Respectfully submitted, 



L. C^SAR. 



TWO-WINGED FLIES. 

 By Eev. Thos. W. Fyles, D.C.L., F.L.S., Levis, Que. 



Two-winged flies seem to be everywhere in evidence. They are met with 

 as far north as man has made his abode; and they abound in tropical regions. 

 In light or darkness, be the weather fair or foul, in early Spring and late 

 Autumn — aye, and under favorable circumstances in Winter also— two- 

 winged flies are to be found. 



Baron Osten Sacken, in his "Catalogue of the described Diptera of North 

 America," gives the names of no less than 4,077 species of these insects; 

 and doubtless there are many more unnamed species, belonging to the order, 

 that will be found as time goes on and dipterologists increase. The same 

 distinguished naturalist groups the flies into 64 families. It may well be 

 believed that such formidable numbers are deterrent to the study of the 

 Diptera. 



Moreover, there is, I think, a prejudice, formed in early life, against 

 the two-winged flies. The annoyance caused by house-flies, gnats, and cat- 

 tle-flies, the abominable character of the blow-fly, the accounts of the tsetse 

 and other hurtful species, all tend to create an utter dislike to the Diptera 

 that is hard to overcome. I know that as a boy I was not much impressed 

 by the story — told as a warning — of the ill-famed and ill-starred Roman 

 Emperor who amused himself by killing flies. Questions arose in my youth- 

 ful mind as to whether, in so doing, he was not acting as a public benefactor ; 

 and I am inclined to think that many a mother who in the nursery, would 

 tell her children not to be cruel and kill flies, would, in the kitchen, spread 

 a sheet of "tangle-foot" without compunction. 



Yes — the order Diptera is not generally regaided with favor. Never- 

 theless, as Mr. Macy says in Silas Marner, "a fly is a fly, though it may 



