56 R. NEWSTEAD — THE PAPATACI FLIES (PHLEBOTOMUS) 



masoni'j from the foimcTation to the topmost course or layer ; and if the old waL 

 could be substituted by any other form of boundary, so much the better. 



There are also other kinds of walls which may have to be dealt with, and 

 these are they which form the old bastions and other extensive fortifications at 

 Cottonera and elsewhere. In cases where such structures are backed with 

 rubble and finally protected with loose rock, it woidd be a comparatively easy 

 task to prevent the egress of the flies through such loose material by breaking or 

 pulverising it, or by covering it with soil ; but unfortunately the question of 

 pointing the Ashlar work forming the facings of the bastions and ciu'tains 

 presents not only a serious financial difficulty, but a task which could be 

 accomplished only by a huge army of men ; and in consideration of these facts it 

 seems to me that in the present stage of our inquiry such a method of procedure 

 would be extremely unwise and irrational. For the time being, therefore, I 

 should strongly advise that in selecting the experimental area a site should be 

 chosen which is as remote from the old fortifications or similar structures as is 

 possible. 



Though there is no evidence which will lead us to believe that Papataci flies 

 breed in the cellars and drains in Malta, at the same time we must not lose sight 

 of the fact that Grassi (3), as has already been stated, has found larvae of 

 P. papatasii in such places. It is highly probable, therefore, that this species 

 breeds in similar habitats in Malta also ; but it is impossible without more study 

 to make any definite statement on the point. Taking all the facts into considera- 

 tion, therefore, I consider that the only really practical prophylactic measures 

 which can at present be taken are those which are considered as precautionary 

 against the bites of these insects. It is perfectly obvious moreover, that any 

 operations which will not bring about an almost complete destruction of the 

 breeding-grounds are not likely to make an appreciable reduction in the numbers 

 of these insects. 



SyNONOMY, Al'FINITIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE GeNUS 



Phlebotomus. 



Though the differential characters of this genus have been given by several 

 authors, and Grassi (3) has published an elaborate memoir on the morphology 

 and biology of Phlebotomus papatasii, I consider that this report would be incom- 

 plete without giving some details concerning the morphology of these insects ; 

 all the more so because Grassi's paper, in Italian, is now very difficult to obtain 

 and also a very costly publication, in fact the price (£l \0s.) for so small a work, 

 is practically prohibitive, and certainly not ivithin the reach of students in 

 general. 



I do not claim, however, to treat of this phase of the subject in an exhaustive 

 way, but rather to point out the salient characters of these insects in a measure 

 fha(. may be helpful both to the medical profession and to the zoologist. 



The genus Plilelwtomus was established by Eondani in 1840, though the species 

 for which it was founded had been placed by various authorities in other genera, 

 such as, Bihio (Scopoli, 1786), Musca (Gmelin, 1788-1793), Ciniplies (Costa, 

 1840). But as Rondani's name is now generally accepted, one need not go into 



