REMEDIES. 83 



antennae are eleven- jointed ; the palpi are four-jointed, with long, fine 

 tenninal joints, and the ocelli are wanting, while the posterior tibia 

 and first joint of the hind tarsi are dilated. The body is short and 

 thick. The labrum is free, sharp as a dagger ; and the proboscis is 

 well developed and draws blood profusely." Harris says, "The 

 wings are transparent ; and their legs are short, and have a broad 

 whitish ring around them." I have verified these statements, but 

 not the following, again quoting from Prof. Packard, who says it 

 " lives during the larval stage in the water. The larva of a Labra- 

 dor species which we found is about a quarter of an inch long, and 

 with the appearance here indicated.^ The pupa is also aquatic, 

 having long respiratory filaments attached to each side of the front 

 of the thorax. According to Westwood ' the posterior part of its 

 body is enclosed in a semi-oval membranous cocoon, which is at first 

 formed by the larva, the anterior part of which is eaten away before 

 changing to the pupa, so as to be open in front. The imago is pro- 

 duced beneath the surface of the water, its fine silky covering serving 

 to repel the action of the water.' " Although they are undoubtedly 

 blown by the wind to great distances, the fact of their being reared in 

 fresh water — by fresh I mean not salt sea water, yet I imagine they 

 prefer stagnant pools — accounts, perhaps, for such large numbers 

 being found on the mainland, and so few on the islands outside, 

 where the continued breezes from the sea carry them away as fast as 

 they appear. If it were not for these tormenting Httle insects, explo- 

 ration into the interior would be a comparatively easy thing. As it is, 

 veils of mosquito netting do no good, for the fly is scarcely one- 

 eighth of an inch long and would pass through the meshes at once ; 

 handkerchiefs are used with little better success, for they will creep 

 into the smallest openings and beneath the loose folds. A mixture 

 is now made and sold, consisting largely of dilute carbolic acid 

 and sweet oil, which, when applied to the face and hands, keeps 

 these insects at a distance, for a time at least. The best and 

 only sure remedy is to keep wholly away from them. 



1 See fig. 69, Packard's " Our Common Insects," p. 73. 



