196 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



of them are large, and handsomely ringed with black and 

 bright yellow (Vespa Marginata). The elegant Star Crane- 

 fly ( Bittacomorpha Crassipes) I have observed slowly sailing 

 through the air over a pool of water ; the black and white 

 legs extended at full length from the body like the radii of a 

 star : it appears to be uncommon here. Two small but 

 beautiful species of bee have appeared, vieing in the lustre of 

 their colours with the brilliant Ruby tails (Chrysis) ; one is 

 of a smooth gilded green all over (Halictus GramineusJ, 

 the other has the abdomen polished crimson (Sphecodes Ru- 

 bida). I netted a pair of handsome Ephemerce in coitu in 

 the air, the wings elegantly spotted with brown. The larger 

 species of Dragonflies (Libellulina) fly about, particularly 

 on the banks of the river. 



F. — What has become of the tuberous gall which you 

 found a few days ago ? 



C — About thirty little Gallflies crept out of it one morn- 

 ing, all alike, about half as large as a gnat, having a gi'een 

 thorax, and the abdomen of a metallic brown, with a long 

 ovipositor. I had thought that galls produced only the true 

 Gallflies (GallicolcB)j but experience has shown me that I 

 was mistaken ; for from one that I was keeping, differing, 

 however, from the tuberous one, I had produced, a day or 

 two ago, a dipterous fly, like a Musca, with mottled wings. 



F. — The large Whameflies ( Tahanus) are beginning to 

 be troublesome to the horses and cattle : I have been told by 

 surveyors and others, whose business leads them to penetrate 

 the forests far from human settlements, that these large flies 

 are so numerous and virulent that sometimes it is impossible 

 to proceed. It is not uncommon for persons in such circum- 

 stances, to have their faces and limbs so bitten, as, with the 

 venom infused, and the consequent irritation combined, 

 to cause dangerous wounds or ulcers. I have never been 

 attacked by them myself, nor have I ever known them to 



