THE CONTROL OF FLIES IN THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN. 309 



of the wicks on the outside of the lid was always moist with the poison. The flies 

 eagerly gorged on these and died in shoals round the tin. By this method evaporation 

 was reduced to a minimum. 



Owing to the fierce heat of the sun the flies always seek shade. Small rush matting 

 shelters were placed at convenient positions round the camp, on the shelves of which 

 these tins of poisoned bait were put, and large numbers of flies, mostly of the house- 

 fly type, were killed in this way. Occasionally Sarcophaga, Lucilia and Calliphom 

 were found at the bait. 



(5). Fly flappers. — Flies collect in large numbers during the heat of the day and 

 towards the evening on the inside of the tents, and troops were encouraged to 

 kill them. 



Leather flappers pierced with holes, mounted on small wire handles, were issued 

 for this purpose. Another and more efficient type, the flap of which is made with 

 flexible wire gauze, is sold all over Egypt. 



