The first specimens of lliis remarkable llv were sent to me nearly 

 two years ago by Prof. Cope, through Prof. Comstock, and very shortly 

 afterwards by Prof Riley. More recently I received them from Profes- 

 sors Lintner and Smidi. I cannot resist the belief that the species is an 

 introduced one, and suspect that it may be identical with H. serrata R. 

 Desv. . occuring in France. Aside, however, from the discrepancies 

 that his description shows in the color of the lej^s, an identification of 

 this author's species is usually, at the best, only a guess. Macquart's 

 very brief description is better, but the palpi are distinctly enlarged, and 

 he says they are not. Nothing but a comparison of the specimens will 

 settle the question. The name cornicola was proposed by Prof Cope. 



I separate HtPniatobia from Stomoxys because I believe the length 

 of the palpi is a sufficient character. 



-♦-»-♦- 



It is never quite safe to say a thing cannot be done, but it strikes 

 the close observer as rather a wild scheme to undertake a study of the 

 relations of the rnosquitos and Dragon flies, with a view of breeding the 

 latter to destroy the former. Mr. Laniborn's proposition, made by a 

 circular bearing date July 15th, 1889, offers $200 in three prizes of 

 $150, $30 and $20, for "the three best essays on the destruction ofmos- 

 quitcis and flies by other insects." 



The essays must be in by December ist, 1889. Now here already 

 is an element of impossibility. All who have ever studied any life 

 histories know that one full season of Insect life must elapse before we 

 can speak of a complete history, because number of broods constitutes 

 a very important element in the question mooted by Mr. Lamborn. By 

 the middle of July half the season is over and between July i5ih and 

 December ist it is an utter impossibility to make studies resulting in 

 any reliable or practicable suggestions. Yet the "suggestions" made in 

 the circular require study and investigation of the most careful kind 

 which ought Xo take at least one full year to produce any results at all. 

 We doubt if any entomologist of standing will even contemplate trying 

 for the prize. Then, with all due respect to Dr. Henry McCook, and 

 Dr. J. S. Newberry, they are very far from the best men to choose as 

 judges. It requires entomologists of experience in an economic line to 

 judge of the value of observations and the practicability of methods ad- 

 vocated. Dr. C. V. Riley, Prof. S. A. Forbes, J. A. Limner, J. H. 

 Comstock or a number of others would have commanded much greater 

 confidence, not because they rank higher as scientists, but because i^f 

 their special knowledge of raising insects, in studying life habits, and 

 methods of destruction of obnoxious species. We shall look forward 

 with great interest to the result of the studies made to secure the prizes. 



