REINDEER I>7 ALASKA. 67 



from the reindeer in spring large openings (in some cases, hundreds) 

 filled with pus may be seen in their backs. Blowflies are attracted to 

 these and it is reported that in some seasons considerable losses 

 may follow blowfly attack. Prevention of this form of loss has 

 been discussed under Warble Flies, p. 61. 



Screw worms have been found infesting wounds resulting from 

 other causes, such as broken horns and sores on the legs. In these 

 cases the removal of the grubs and the surgical treatment of wounds 

 fiwill bring . about a cure. Proper disposal of refuse and carcasses 

 should bring about a diminution of blowflies. Burning is the most 

 satisfactory method, and next to this comes burial; in Alaska, how- 

 ever, owing to the frozen state of the ground, burial is not always 

 possible, and fuel for burning is sometimes scarce. When burial is 

 possible, at least 2 feet of soil should cover the carcass. Lime and 

 oil are of assistance in the destruction of larvae and may be used to 

 advantage. A carcass soaked in oil can be set fire to and many 

 ■grubs thus destroyed. Cleanliness around native villages could easily 

 [be enforced, and the reprehensible practice of throwing carcasses 

 '=of dead dogs on the seashore should be stopped. It is true that 

 many dogs have to be killed each spring, but the work should be 

 done under supervision and the animals should be burned or properly 

 I buried. 



■ MOSQUITOES. 



Mosquitoes are a serious pest in the north and cause much annoy- 

 ance to man and beast. In Alaska they consist of only a few species, 



■ although they are very numerous. Reindeer suffer a great deal from 

 ; the mosquito, but being so heavily coated they appear to resist attack 



better than do some animals, excepting during the time when their 

 ,. hair is newly shed. 



I C'uliseta alaskaensis Ludlow ^^ and C. hnpatiens Walker are the 

 ' large snow mosquitoes which come out early in spring. Aedes fune- 

 todes Dyar is the common form, and is the worst mosquito attack- 

 ing reindeer on the coast of Alaska, where it appears about the latter 

 part of June. The Lapps always say that the mosquitoes help them 

 to round up their herds at marking time, about June 20 ; it is prob- 

 able, however, that the warble fly, which appears about that time, 

 may also play a part. According to Dyar, Aedes cataphylla Dyar, 

 lof which a few specimens were collected on the coast, is the species 

 which is abundant along the Yukon Valley. 



UCE. 



The only surface-skin parasites of reindeer found up to the present 

 Itime are lice, and these have been encountered in only small numbers. 



^ Determinations of the mosquitoes collected in Alaska were made by Dr. H. G. Dyar, 

 of the Bureau of Entomology. 



