THE CLARION SHRILL. Di 
than would be any winged leech. There are 
three species, all three by far too plentiful for 
the comfort of either man or beast, and widely 
distributed in North-west America. These 
insects have an apparent ubiquity, and are 
literally everywhere. Ascend to the regions of 
eternal snow, there are hungry Breeze-flies 
awaiting one’s arrival; by the rushing torrent, 
on the shores of the placid lake, under the deep 
damp shadows of the pine-trees, or on the open 
flower-decked prairie, there are sure to be 
Breeze-flies. One barely hears the sound of its 
‘clarion shrill’ and hum of the rapidly-vibrating 
Wings, ere one feels a sharp prick, as though a 
red-hot needle had been thrust into the flesh ; 
stab follows stab in quick succession, and unless 
active measures of defence be resorted to, the 
skin speedily assumes the form of a sieve. 
The horses and mules give immediate notice 
of the enemy by viciously throwing up their heads 
and heels, snorting, and, very possibly, indeed I 
may say generally, summarily discharging their 
loads, be they human or baggage, over their 
heads. Whether success attends this disagreeable 
habit or not, in any case a hasty retreat is made 
for the nearest water, where both man and beast 
well know the Breeze-fly seldom or never follows. 
