178 



were inferior to fly-papers. The most successful of these was made 

 with paper rendered oil-proof by a solution of 1 oz. ordinary glue 

 in 3 oz. water. This should be applied with a fine brush all over the 

 surface. After this has dried, the adhesive mixture consisting of 

 3 oz. resin and 1 oz. cotton-seed oil is brought to boiling point and 

 immediately appUed to the paper. The cost of fly-papers prepared in thi& 

 way is about half that of the commercial article. There is apparently 

 some seasonal variation in the flies, and while it is too early to draw 

 conclusions, it seems probable that some relationship exists between 

 the prevalence of the house-fly and relative humidity. The 

 temperature also should be taken into consideration. It was found 

 that outbreaks of diarrhoea and dysentery follow the rise and fall of 

 the flies to a large extent. The numbers of flies will never be reduced 

 until their breeding places are eliminated and better sanitary conditions 

 exist in British Guiana. 



A study has been made of the biology of the tick, Amblyomma 

 dissimile, Koch. Investigation into the life-history has proved 

 beyond doubt that the female of this species is able to produce fertile 

 eggs parthenogenetically. Further researches are being carried on 

 and a report on the experiments will eventually be issued. 



Lea (A. M.). Notes on Small Flies of Genus Simulium. — Trans. Proc. 

 R. Soc. S. Australia, Adelaide, xli, 24th December 1917, p. 663. 

 [Received 13th July 1918.] 



A species of Simuliiwi is recorded as very abundant in the 

 south-eastern parts of S. Australia, occurring in thousands and 

 causing serious annoyance to horses and cattle. 



Cameron (A. E.). Some Blood-sucking Flies of Saskatchewan. — 



Agric. Gaz. Canada, Ottawa, v, no. 6, June 1918, pp. 556-561, 6 figs. 



A preliminary survey of the blood-sucking flies attacking domestic 

 animals and man in Saskatchewan has shown that as regards mosquitos 

 the great majority of the north-west prairie species belong to the 

 genus Aedes, which have only one annual brood. The eggs are laid 

 in late summer on the ground where they remain till the following 

 spring, when they hatch in the water from the melting snow. Larvae 

 have been found in alkali swamps and ditches in May and June, and 

 sometimes A. canadensis, Theo., and A. {Ochlerotatus) sansoni, D. &K,, 

 have been found in these localities in July. A. (0.) mimesis, D., 

 A. (0.) vexans, Mg., and A. (0.) aestivalis, D., all species more or less 

 persistent in their attacks on man, are pecifliar to swampy creeks 

 and ravines. The most widely distributed species on the prairies 

 are A. (0.) spenceri, Theo., A. {0.) fletcheri, Coq., and A. (0.) curriei, 

 Coq., the first two of which are particularly vicious in their habits, 

 entering the porches of houses on the outskirts of the toAvns and 

 attacking the occupants, and proving so troublesome to stock that 

 the provision of fly-nets on horses is now general. 



The question of mosquito control on the prairies is a very difficult 

 one, but much could be done in the vicinity of townships by oiling 

 the temporary pools of early sjDring, or by filling them in with refuse 

 during the summer and autumn in preparation for the spring thaw. A 

 larvicide, prepared according to the formula : resin 150-200 lb.. 



