• TWENTY-.SE\ EXTU ANNUAL MEETING. 131 



day, and consequently were hungry, fresh flies were given them, the dish 

 was partially covered, darkening it considerably, and the bugs were then 

 watched feeding. One small insect with its extended beak, formidable-look- 

 ing even in such a little creature, approached a half-dead fly until it touched 

 it, when, bracing itself firmly, it pushed so hard as to roll the fly over, 

 although it was many times larger than the bug. The sense of touch of these 

 small cone-noses seemed not to be very delicate, as they prodded alike upon 

 all parts of the fly's body, trying first the wing, then the eyes, and finally suc- 

 ceeded in puncturing the abdomen. To withdraw the beak, the insect, after 

 bracing itself again, gave a sudden pull backward, and if the cover darken- 

 ing the dish was removed they immediately stopped feeding and hid them- 

 selves as quickly as possible. Without doubt, the cone-nose preys upon other 

 insects, and, to that extent, is beneficial, but its bad deeds so outweigh its 

 good ones, that it must be classed among the injurious insects. By many it 

 has been credited with infesting dwellings for the purpose of preying upon 

 the common bed-bug, but its designs are quite probably of a sinister kind, 

 if "by their works ye shall know them" can be applied to the cone-nose as 

 to the human race. The conclusion that they prey upon the common bed-bug 

 must arise from a supposition, as the bugs are nocturnal, feeding at night 

 and hiding if a light is brought into the room, so that such a habit could 

 hardly have been actually observed. There seems to be no wholesale method 

 of destroying them, and those who at first credit the cone-nose with good in- 

 tentions, will, when once stung by this insect, be more than ready to pro- 

 nounce it capable of assault with attempt to kill, and to declare with those 

 who have already suffered from its attacks that sentiment, just as applicable 

 to the body physical as to the body politic, "Eternal vigilance is the price of 

 liberty." 



