H. Eltringham 451 



The heap thus produced about 100 flies, all except one coming from 

 the heap direct. It is remarkable that it produced nearly double the 

 number of flies obtained from that used in Experiment VI, and it might 

 be supposed that the loose laying of the manure had aft'ected the figures. 

 Tliis supposition is not however supported by comparison with Experi- 

 ments III and IV. 



Experiment VIII. A small heap of garden and kitchen refuse 

 behind the laboratory was covered over with a packing case and a trap 

 fixed thereon. The refuse contained potato peelings, pea and bean 

 pods, leaves, scrapings of a small hen coop. etc. The refuse was covered 

 over on July iSth and remained closed till August 1 1th. During this 

 period the following flies were trapped: 



Miiscina stabulans Fin. ... ... 13 



Fduiiin caniodarin L. ... ... 17 



CJtoiinpJiila ciUcnira Rdi. ... 13 



Ophijrn leiicosfoma W. ... ... 4 



This experiment was intended to test gardeii refuse as a breeding 

 place for M. domestica under the conditions obtaining at the laboratory, 

 and also in the hope of breeding Musca autwnnalis De G.^, which 

 species was fairly abundant in the garden. Neither species emerged 

 from the material. 



Experiment IX. There is behind the farm l)uildings mentioned in 

 Experiment V a large manure shed, the floor of which is cemented 

 forming a kind of tank about 12 inches deep, and having an area of 

 about ()60 sqiuire feet. Here there was an accumulation of manure 

 and straw taken from the stable adjoining, the sweepings from the stable 

 being thrown on to it daily. It tlierefore contained both old and fresh 

 manure, and an area of some 25 square feet was covered over with a 

 tent of cheese cloth having a trap on the top. The lower edge of the 

 tent was not fixed close to the cement but was heaped up with straw 

 all round. Doubtless a good many flies escaped round the bottom. 

 On the other hand many were caught and these proved to be nearly all 

 Stomoxys calcitrans of which some 4-53 were taken in the ten days from 

 August 9th to August 19th. Had the whole area of the manure yard 

 produced flies at this rate, the total output would have been nearly 

 1200 per day, though a lower output is indicated by Experiment XVI. 

 During the period only three M. domestica were taken together with a 

 few Aiithomi/idae. Towards the end of this period M. domestica became 

 more numerous about the stable. 



' Formerly known as iluscn corvinn. 



30—2 



