340 HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



shines. The bite of the black-fly is often severe, the crea- 

 ture leaving a large clot of blood to mark the scene of its 

 surgical triumphs." 



In Agassiz's "Lake Superior, " written by Cabot, we get 

 some interesting notes on the black-fly as it occurred in 

 1848 in the region of the Great Lakes. At Sault Ste. 

 Marie on June 28th they made the acquaintance of the 

 "black-fly, a little insect resembling the common house- 

 fly, but darker on the back, with white spots on the legs, 

 and two-thirds as large, being about two lines in length. 

 They are much quicker in their motions, and much more 

 persevering in their attacks than the mosquito, forcing 

 their way into any crevice, for instance, between the 

 glove and coat-sleeve. On the other hand, they are easily 

 killed as they stick to their prey like bull-dogs." 



Farther north they met the fly in more force, as the 

 narrative testifies. " Neither the love of the picturesque, 

 however, nor the interests of science, could tempt us into 

 the woods, so terrible were the black-flies. This pest of 

 flies, which all the way hither had confined our ramblings 

 on shore pretty closely to the rocks and the beach, and had 

 been growing constantly worse and worse, here reached 

 its climax. Although detained nearly two days . . . 

 yet we could only sit with folded hands, or employ our- 

 selves in arranging specimens, and such other occupa- 

 tions as could be pursued in camp, and under the protec- 

 tion of a 'smudge.' One whom scientific ardor tempted 

 a little w r ay up the river in a canoe after water-plants, 

 came back a frightful spectacle, with blood-rings around 

 his eyes, his face bloody, and covered with punctures. 

 The next morning his head and neck were swollen as if 

 from an attack of erysipelas." 



