84 THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



even insert their probosces through our thick duck trousers and suck the blood to their hearts' 

 content. 



Black Flies. 



Next in importance to the mosquitoes may be mentioned the Black Flies, {Sinndium). 

 These are small black insects about one eighth of an inch in length with stout bodies and 

 bulging thoraxes. The mouth parts are very curious, and Prof. J. B Smith has ascertained 

 that the females, which alone suck blood pos«ess, besides the usual sucking organs, genuine 

 biting mandibles. Unlike the mosquitoes they breed in rapidly flowing water. Although the 

 bite of these flies is not poisonous it is very severe, drawing blood freely. I frequently noticed 

 the faces of my companions streaked with blood, the result of fly bites. We experienced the 

 greatest discomfort from these flies on bright warm days, and between 9. 00 a.m. and 9. 00 

 p.m. They did not bother us much during the hours of darkness but seemed to congregate on 

 the walk of the tent in Search of light. They were not attracted by lamp light. While the 

 bites of the black flies were very painful, we also suff'ered from their gettina; into our nostrils, 

 our ears, and under our eyelids. We also experienced much inconvenience by their congre- 

 gating in large numbers in soup, gravy, and other articles of diet. This vexed our jovial half- 

 breed cook so much that he once remarked that he would not mind cooking for us if he could 

 only board somewhere else himself. 



At one time the back of my neck was so much lacerated by fly bites that it became stifl" 

 and swollen, and I was unable to turn my head for several days. Heavy applications of 

 cirbolic salve to the face and hands seemed to prevent the attacks of these flies to some extent 

 I observed that they were troublejoin^ nob only to min bat also to the dogs. dear, and other 

 animals, and that they were more active in June and July than later in the season. 



Sand Fiies. 



Sand Flies, (Ceratopo<ioH). These flies are very small yellowish insects, with transparent 

 whitish colored wings having somewhat darker spots. I found great difliculty in capturing 

 specimens as it was impossible to handle them without crushing them. By placing a green 

 leaf on the back of my hand and by allowing them to crawl on it, I succeeded in securing a 

 number, by folding the leaf and inserting it into a cyanide bottle. 



The bites of these insignificant looking insects are very poisonous, causing much swrlling 

 and a painful burning sensation. Though the sand-flies look insignificant they never allow 

 one to be ignorant of their presence day or night. They adhere very closely to che skin ; 

 they crawl up under shirt sleeves and trouser le£;s, and keep the whole surface of the body in 

 a constant state of irritation. Unlike the Black-Flies they are attracted b lamp light or fire- 

 lij ht, and are therefore very troublesome around the camp fire. We ound them always most 

 numerous in the vicinity of rapids or water-falls. They are active hroughout the summer, 

 but most troublesome during the latter part of July and August. 



Deer Fiies (Chrysops). Are large flies about half an inch in length. We found them very 

 numerous in July and experienced much discomfort from their attacks. The bite is not 

 poisonous but causes a sharp severe pain. They are not troublesome excepting on clear, hot 

 days. These flies attack deer and moose as well as man. 



B'M dog Tabanus (Tabanus aftinis). Th' was the largest of the fly-tormentors of the 

 north. The Bull-dog Tabanus, like the Deer fly, was only troublesome on clear, hot days in- 

 -Tune and July. I shall never forget the first bite I received from this fly ; the pain was so 

 sudden and intense that I thought my end had come. One hot, clear day I counted as many 

 as twenty-seven of these ]arg« pests attacking one of my companions. 



In conclusion let me say that, although the various species of flies above described are 

 exceedingly troublesome at the present time, it is altogether probable that as the country- 

 becomes cleared and drained and the soil cultivated, they will largely disappear and life will 

 then be as tolerable in this region as in the older part of the province. 



