169 
REMARKS ON THE COMMON FLY. 
winged insect called the fly, which has no respect 
for age or persons, settling as it does on all and every- 
^ with cool effrontery and dauntless perseverance, 
' ^ which attacks almost everything edible and drinkable 
that one has in the house, and feeds on and drinks thereof after 
perhaps covering its legs and wings with dirt off some filthy 
object — this fly is still the pest of humanity almost all over the 
world as we read it used to be in former ages. 
In these modern days of scientific research, when the greatest 
importance is placed on the discovery of a new germ which 
w'ill spread disease amongst us, it is astonishing that so little 
notice has been taken of the fly in this respect. Quite apart 
from this insect being a general tormenter of mankind, it would 
seem to be evident that it cannot be otherwise than a cause 
of originating and spreading disease. When passing through 
the bazaars of Indian and Egyptian native cities, and through 
native villages, where flies swarm amongst the dirt and squalor, 
where many human creatures are ill with ophthalmia, smallpox, 
and other eruptive diseases, one can see flies flitting from the 
body of one sick person on to the eyes of another sick person, 
on to all and on to everything, sometimes singly and some- 
times in swarms, and who can doubt that these flies are most 
dangerous enemies of mankind. It is not necessary, however, 
to go as far as India or Egypt to become convinced of the truth 
of this assertion. One has only to observe the habits of flies 
at home, especially at certain periods of the year ; one has only 
to examine them through a powerful microscope, and one can 
imagine the rest. 
Flies were doubtless created to serve some useful object in 
the great work of creation and the general system of the 
universe. They are doubtless appreciated as food by ants, 
spiders, &c., but however useful they may be, and however 
much appreciated by ants, spiders, &c., it is certain that we 
human beings w’ould be very glad to be free from their presence 
in every way. 
Some people adopt fly paper to attract and destroy them, 
which is very unsightly and only partially effective, but the 
great majority of us put up with the nuisance. Perhaps there 
are some people to whom it would be good news to hear that 
it is within anyone’s power to kill annoying flies with what is 
called a fly-flap. With this weapon in the hand, a room full of 
flies can be cleared of them in a very short time. It only requires 
a short brisk stroke from the wrist, and the weapon itself is a 
piece of pliable leather, round or oval in shape, nailed on firmly 
at one end of a cane or stick about 2 feet 3 inches long. No fly 
can live against it, and there ought to be one of these fly-flaps 
in every household. My own is in constant use, and adds 
