54 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV. 



4. NOTE ON THE " POTU "OR " PIPSA " FLY. 

 (Simuliiim indicum, Becker,) 

 By Lionel de Nic^ville, f.e.s., c.m.z.s., &c. 



In the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. LIII, Part 2, 

 pp. 199, 200, pi. XIV (1884), is a technical description of the female 

 of Siniulium indicum, from Assam, by Dr. Edward Becher. In the 

 November Proceedings of the same Society, No. X, 1884, pp. i6i, 

 162, is a note by Prof. Dr. Brauer on the habits of the allied species 

 of Simulia found in Europe. Lastly, in Indian Museum Notes, Vol. 

 Ill, n. 5, pp. 39 — 41 (1894), is a note by Mr. E. C. Cotes on the " Potu " 

 fly, as found in the Himalayas. As, however, Mr. Cotes does not give 

 references to the previous literature on the subject as regards the 

 Indian species, nor refer to the remedies against the effects of its 

 bite recommended by Dr. Brauer ; and further, the present writer 

 has been able to gather some additional information as to its habits 

 it has been thought well to record this further Note. 



The remedies advocated by Dr. Brauer are as follows : — 



" All plans to diminish the number of these flies [in Europe] have been hitherto 

 without success, as they cannot be exterminated in the [running] water [in which 

 the larvae develop], or only to a limited degree. Smoke is a protection against 

 them, and it is produced by putting live coals into heaps of dung, leaves, hay, and 

 the like. Another protection against their bites is an embrocation of tobacco de- 

 coction or of kerosine oil. For cattle, an ointment is made In the following way, — 

 2 lbs. of tobacco leaves are boiled in 20 lbs. of water ; the decoction is evaporated to 

 the consistency of honey, then to this extract is added I lb. of lard and \ oz. of 

 kerosine oil. The resulting ointment is rubbed into the skin of the cattle, and has 

 the effect of keeping the flies off. It has to be applied especially near the open- 

 ings of the body, on the belly and genitals, and the application must be repeated 

 every third day. 



" Against the bites of the fly, and their consequences, on the recommendation of 

 Schonbauer, people apply fomentations of luke-warm milk, warm poultices of lin- 

 seed and water, fresh linseed oil or fresh butter, which dimmish the smarting pains 

 very much and prevent swelhng, if they are used early enough. Finally, luke- 

 warm softening baths are recommended j also internally, cooling drinks, and in con- 

 vulsion?, opiates. 



" Besides this, washing with diluted Goulard-water, vinegar, and ammonia is re- 

 commended. Aqua plumbic, grm. 400, externally. Or — 



Acidj carbolici, grm. 8. 



Olei olivarum, grm. 80. 

 On lint. 

 " Moistening the wounds with alcohol, water, and vinegar. "(Proc. A. S. B., 1. c.) 

 There is very little doubt, I think, that the Assamese, Sikkimand 



