374 



part of the treatment of the peach orchard the trees ^yere in partial 

 bloom, and the latest apple trees treated were in full bloom. The effect 

 on the bloom and foliage of the trees has already been noted. The 

 wash resulted in the death of at least 95 percent of the scales, taking 

 the orchard as a whole. In the case of a number of the apple trees last 

 treated, there was afterwards a period of five or six days without any 

 rain, and the wash, so far as could be discovered by most careful exam- 

 ination, had proven perfectly effective, no living scales being found. A 

 result slightly inferior to the general average was noted on five rows, 

 on which the wash had been applied witli a brush, tlie penetration and 

 saturation of the bark, as remarked by tlie owner at the time, being 

 evidently less thoroughly accomplished by this means than when applied 

 as a spray. 



THE HIPPELATES PLAGUE IN FLORIDA. 



By E. A. ScHWAKZ. 



Fig. S7. — Bivpelates Jlavipvs : much enlarged (original). 



During various trips to Florida in former years 1 had opi^ortunity to 

 get acquainted with the annoyance caused by certain minute flies. 

 They are justly dreaded by the natives and summer residents of that 

 State, and generally designated by them with the comprehensive term 

 *'guats." Mosquitoes and sand-flies (Ceratopogon) are not more annoy- 

 ing in Florida in summer time than elsewhere, except near the coast, 

 and the same may be said of the other annoying species of Biptera 

 (house Hies, horse flies, and fleas). But these little '' gnats," which prove 

 to be certain species of the genus Hippelates, are during daytime con- 

 stantly about you in swarms, and render life more burdensome than any 

 other insect jjest. 



