]18 



and also on part of the suspended matter deposited by the sewage. 

 During September and October, when the supply of larvae is at its 

 maximum, starlings visit the beds in large numbers to feed on them. 

 In November, when the larvae become less plentiful, a green alga, 

 probably Stigeoclonium, appears and increases till March. 



The growth of algae and fungi interferes w^ith percolation, and pools 

 of water stand on the beds ; the effluent from the filters is remarkably 

 free from suspended matter, and larvae may be found in the humus 

 tanks, evidently washed through the lower layers of the coke pile. 

 Algae and fungi begin to vanish in March, and from March to May the 

 suspended matter in the effluent from the sprinklers is increased. As 

 the appearance of the vegetable growth coincides with the inactivity of 

 the larvae, so does its disappearance with the renewed activity of 

 the newly-hatched brood, surrounded by an abundant food supply. 



The presence of these larvae is highly beneficial, as more power is 

 required to pump the sludge during the period at which the alga is 

 disappearing than at any other time, and if the fly did not inhabit the 

 coke beds and check the growths, these vegetable substances would 

 choke them. 



Earthworms also play an important part in the destruction of 

 organic matter in the filter beds, and these in their turn are attacked 

 by carnivorous beetle larvae, and also by birds, whose presence is 

 advantageous in controlling the number of flies, which, being bred 

 in the sewage farm, are most probably carriers of disease germs. 



Taylor (F. H.). Australian Tabanidae [Diptera], no. ii. — Proc. 



Linnean Soc. N.S.W., Sydney, xli, no. 164, 4th April 1917, 

 pp. 746-762. 



This paper deals with the following Tabanids : — Diatomineura 

 crocea, sp. n., Corizoneura hurandae, sp. n., Elaphroniyia carteri, gen. 

 et sp. n., Silvius ater, sp. n., S. suhlividus, sp. n., Tabmms griseohirtus, 

 sp. n., T. trypherus, sp. n., T. griseoannulatus, sp. n., T. australis, sp. n., 

 T. darwinensis, sp. n., T. milsoni, sp. n., T. spadix, sp. n., T. ynastersi, 

 nom. nov. {T. gregarius, Tayl., nee Erichson), and T. doddi, nom. nov. 

 {T. abstersus, Tayl., nee Walker). 



Hill (G. F.). Some Notes on the Bionomics of the Buffalo-fly {Lype- 

 rosia exigua, Meij.). — Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Sydney, xli, no. 164, 

 4th April 1917, pp. 763-768, 1 plate. 



Lyperosia exigua (buflalo-fly) is a more formidable pest to cattle 

 and horses in northern Australia than the larger and more voracious 

 blood-sucking flies, owing to the greater number of individuals and 

 the longer period of their seasonal occurrence. During the early part 

 of the wet season (November and December) certain Tabanids, espe- 

 cially Tabanus nigritarsis, Tayl, cause greater annoyance and loss of 

 blood than buffalo- flies, but their wounds heal without showing signs 

 of inflammation, while the attacks of Slomoxys, Lyperosia, Musca and 

 other flies cause characteristic sores. 



Old and sickly horses and cattle are most commonly attacked, 

 goats are rarely molested, while dogs, pigs, sheep and kangaroos 

 appear to be- immune. The parts attacked are chiefly the belly, 



