40 INSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
under the name of Simulium sericeum. Baron Osten Sacken, however, 
states that he inclines to the opinion that it is in reality the ornatum, 
and in deference to this opinion we include mention of it under that 
name. It may be remarked that sericewm is considered the same as 
columbatczense, mention of which has already been made. 
Fia. 8.—Simulium ornatum: a, head of larva, beneath: b, mandible; c, maxilla; e, under lip; f, upper 
lip—all enlarged; d, larva attached to plant; g, pupa in cocoon—natural size (after Verdat). 
This species has not the record of having proven a source of any 
ereat annoyance in the region to which it is common, nor is its geo- 
graphical limit given with precision in any work at hand. The studies 
of its larval and pupal stages, however, gave a foundation for later 
researches upon the subject, and as furnishing interesting subjects for 
comparison, we reproduce the figures published by Verdat. 
TEE BEACK VEnY. 
(Simulium molestum Harris, MSS. ) 
The celebrated black fly of the Northern States has long been known 
in the adult form as a torment to travelers and to domestic animals. 
The following account by Dr. A. 8S. Packard (Amer. Nat., Vol. I, pp. 
589-590) is sufficiently characteristic: 
The black fly is even a more formidable pest than the mosquito. In the northern, 
subarctic regions it opposes a barrier against travel. The Labrador fisherman spends 
his summer on the seashore, scarcely daring to penetrate the interior on account of 
the swarms of these flies. During asummer residence on this coast we sailed up the 
Esquimaux River for 6 or 8 miles, spending a few hours at a house situated on the 
bank. The day was warm and but little wind blowing and the swarms of black flies 
were absolutely terrific. In vain we frantically waved our net among them, allured 
by some rare moth. After making a few desperate charges in the face of the throng- 
ing pests, we had to retire to the house where the windows actually swarmed with 
‘them; but here they would fly in our face, crawl under our clothes, where they would 
even remain and bite in the night. The children of the house were sickly and worn 
by their unceasing torments; and the shaggy Newfoundland dogs, whose thick coats 
would seem to be proof against their bites, ran from their shelter beneath the bench 
and dashed into the river, their only retreat. In cloudy weather, unlike the mos- 
quito, the black fly disappears, only flying when the sun shines. The bite of the 
black fly is often severe, the creature leaving a large clot of blood to mark the scene 
of its surgical triumphs. 
The distribution of this species is not accurately defined, but south- 
ward it occupies the mountainous regions of northern New England, 
