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sheep, and the flies appear to be in a semi-dormant condition during 

 the very hot part of the year and increase but little during that period. 

 If dipping be left until late in the season, the flies are particularly 

 active and there are many pupae, some of which will escape, while if 

 heavy rains, which are beneficial to the development of the pest, set 

 in after dipping, the animals will soon be re-infested. Late dipping is 

 also more costly. 



The author is convinced that, if all sheep-owners were compelled to 

 dip carefully during a short period after shearing, it should be possible 

 to eradicate both the sheep tick and lice from the Dominion, just as 

 scab was cleared from the flocks many years ago. This will however 

 never be possible, unless the present Stock Act is amended and sections 

 similar to those formerly dealing with scab are brought into operation 

 in connection with M. ovinus. The present conditions are compared 

 with the apathy that exists in England relative to sheep scab, where 

 it has existed for centuries, and where there should be no difficulty in 

 effecting complete eradication. The dipping practice as it exists at 

 present is costly and, while it checks the increase of parasites, will 

 never eradicate them. Most of the poisonous dips give satisfactory 

 results, when used carefully, but non-poisonous ones are not 

 recommended. 



Melander (A. L.) & Spuler (A.). The Dipterous Families Sepsidae 

 and Piophilidae. — Washington Agric. Expt. Sta., Pullman, Bull, 

 no. 143, April 1917,97 pp., 1 plate. [Received 23rd October 1917.] 



This paper gives keys to the genera of Sepsidae and of Piophilidae, 

 and to the N. American species of Sepsis and Piophila. The Sepsidae 

 include small, slender flies that breed in dung and carrion. Some of 

 the common species that live in association with man, and have been 

 spread by commerce over much of the world, are Meroplius stercorarins, 

 R.D., Nemopoda cylindrica, ¥., and Themia putris, L. 



Among the Piophilidae, Prochyliza xanthostoma, Walk., is a 

 common species on garbage and the mndows of houses. All the 

 species of the genus Piophila act as scavengers. P. casei, L., in its 

 larval stage is commonly known as the cheese skipper. It breeds, not 

 only in cheese, but also in rotten fungi and dead adipose tissue and is 

 found near accumulations of garbage. When taken into the alimentary 

 tract during its early stages, it may continue its development, 

 producing a form of enteric myiasis, and in the dog causing lesions of 

 the intestines. A nasal myiasis has also been reported. This species 

 is frequently found in houses and is attracted to windows. 



A copious bibhography is appended. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES. 



We regret to announce the death of Mr. C. W. Mason, Government 

 Entomologist in Nyasaland. 



Professor H. M. Lefroy is on his way to Australia in connection 

 with an investigation into the pests of stored grain. 



