102 



as to form a distinct serration on their inner, acute angles, each of which terminates 

 in a long hair. Wings with a light blackish tinge (due to microscopic pubescence), 

 the immediate base yellowish, the first posterior cell rather symmetrically narrowed 

 to terminate broadly at the extreme tip of the wing. 



Female. — Front straight on the sides, its width about equal to one-half of the dis- 

 tance from the foremost ocellus to the base of the anteuntv ; the median deep brown 

 stripe about as wide as the prninose sides. Palpi yellow, with the margins and tip 

 blackish. Legs more yellowish ; hind tarsi regular ; pulvilli and claws small. 



AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. 



The amount of damage done by the fly has been exaggerated by some 

 aud underestimated by others. . We have heard mauy rumors of the 

 death of animals from its attacks, but have been unable to substan- 

 tiate a siugle case. We believe that the flies aloue will never cause the 

 death of an animal. They reduce the condition of stock to a considera- 

 ble extent, and in the case of milch cows the yield of milk is reduced 

 from one-fourth to one-half. It is our opinion that their bites seldom 

 even produce sores by themselves, although we have seen a number of 

 cases where large sores had been made by the cattle rubbing themselves 

 against trees aud fences in an endeavor to allay the irritation caused 

 by the bites; or, in spots where they could not rub, by lickiug constantly 

 with the tongue, as about the bag and on the inside of the hind thighs. 

 A sore once started in this way will increase with the continued irrita- 

 tion by the flies and will be difficult to heal. Those who underesti- 

 mate the damage believe that the fles do not suck blood, but such per- 

 sons have doubtless watched the flies only upon the horns or elsewhere 

 in their resting position when the beak is not inserted, or have caught 

 them and crushed them when their bodies contained little blood. In 

 reality the flies suck a considerable amount of blood, however, and it is 

 their only nourishment; if captured and crushed at the right time the 

 most skeptical individual will be convinced. 



REMEDIES. 



Preventive A2)plications. — Almost any greasy substance will keep the 

 flies away for several days. A number of experiments were tried in the 

 held, with the result that train-oil alone, and train-oil with a little sul- 

 phur or carbolic acid added, will keep the flies away for from five to six 

 days, while with a small proportion of carbolic acid it will have a heal- 

 ing effect upon sores which may have formed. Train-oil should not 

 cost more than from 50 to 75 cents per gallon, and a gallon will anoint 

 a number of animals. Common axle grease, costing 10 cents per box, 

 will answer nearly as well, and this substance has been extensivel3' aud 

 successfully used by Mr. William Johnson, a large stock dealer at War- 

 rentoD, Va. Tallow has also been used to good advantage. The prac- 

 tice of smearing the horns with pine or coal-tar simply repels them 

 from these parts. Train-oil or fish-oil seems to be more lasting in its 

 effects than any other of the substances used. 



