258 



DIPTBRA OR TRUE FLIES. 



way out of the egg-shell : there are a few scattered hairs over 

 the larva, which lives ahout three weeks. 



Prevention and Remedies. — It is very important to keep 

 fowls' nests clean ; then fleas cannot breed there, and can be 

 easily kept down. By using wood-wool instead of straw we 

 shall seldom be bothered by them in our fowl-roosts. Persian 



Fio. 148.— The Hen Flea iTricliopsylla 



■) (greatly magnified). 



insect-powder is a good insecticide to keep them off setting birds, 

 just dusted over the boxes before the eggs are put in and the 

 hens commence to set. In fact, keeping the hen-ho\ises clean 

 will stop this insect from doing any harm. 



The Dog-flea [Gtenuceplialus cam's), also the Cat-flea (C felts), 

 should be kept off the animals if possible. Carbolic soap baths 

 are perhaps the best remedy. No other species are very noxi- 

 ous in these islands except the Human Flea (P. im'fans), but 

 one must remember that the Eat Fleas {CeratoplujUus fasciatus, 

 Ctenojisylla musculi, Xenopsijlla chcopii<, &c.) carry plague. 



THYSANOPTEEA. 



Thrips, or Black Fly. 



The ThripidcB, or Black Fly, sometimes called Thunder-fly, 

 form a distinct order of insects, characterised by having four 



