ee 
a 
The first specimens of this remarkable fly 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 Smith. I cannot resist the belief that the species is an 
_ introduced one, and suspect that it may be identical with . serrata R. , 
Desv., occuring in France. Aside, however, from the discrepancies 
that his description shows in the color of the legs, 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 compamson of the specimens will 
settle the question. The name cornicola was proposed by Prof. Cope. 
I separate Hemasolia from Stomoxys because I believe the length 
of the palpi is a sufficient character. 
a ni tt 
Ir 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 mosquitos and Dragon flies, with a view of breeding the 
latter to destroy the former. Mr. Lamborn’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 of mos- 
quitos 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 complet? 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 15th and 
December Ist it zs 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 to 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. Lintner, J.B: 
Comstock or a number of others would have commanded much greater 
confidence, not because they rank higher as scientists, but because of 
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. 
