The recent appearance of the Hessian Fly. 
721 
be advisable to exhibit ten weeks' old Turkeys. The failure 
of the Geese and Turkey Classes is to be regretted, and is 
surprising in the Eastern Counties, which are supposed to be 
the home of these fowls. The reason for this ought to be 
sought out, in order that the cause may be removed in future 
Shows. 
The Poultry Show in connection with the Royal Agricultural 
Society appears to have great possibilities in it ; but it will be 
necessary to secure the co-operation of those who are enabled to 
send the best type of stock. I can vouch for the fact that there 
is a desire on the part of poultry-breeders to support the Royal 
Show ; and as I believe that it will be the means of doing very 
great good, I hope this support may be secured. 
XXV'I. — The recent appearance of the Hessian Fly, Cecidomyia 
destructor (Say), in Great Britain. By Miss Eleanor A. 
Oemerod, Consulting Entomologist to the Royal Agricultural 
Society. 
On the 27th of July information was sent to me by Mr. George 
Palmer, of Revell's Hall, near Hertford, of a severe attack of a 
kind which had not previously been noticed, which was then 
occurring to barley on land in his occupation ; this attack has 
proved to be that of the gnat midge, commonly known as the 
Hessian Fly, and scientifically as the Cecidomyia destructor, of 
Say, and is, as far as is known on reliable authority, the first 
recorded instance of its appearance as a corn pest in Great 
Britain. 
On examining the specimens sent, and also, on the 30th of 
the month, examining the injured crops in the fields at Revell's 
Hall, I found that the infested barley-stems were doubled sharply 
down above the second joint from the root (see Fig. 2, p. 722), and 
between this double and the joint below, and between the stem 
and sheath, the chrysalis of the maggots which had been feeding 
were very plainly visible (see Fig. 1, p. 722). These were about 
the eighth to the sixth of an inch in length, bright brown in colour, 
and oval in shape, somewhat pointed towards each end, and 
much flattened, so as to bear a great resemblance to a " flax-seed," 
by which name these Hessian Fly chrysalids, or pupae, are 
commonly known in America, 
Tliese chrysalids were further distinguishable by having one 
of the ilat sides pinched in near the end as if by the pressure of 
a nail, and shortly after, as they matured, they became some- 
