194 
ST. HELENA. 
is entirely confined to the lower lands in Jamestown and at Ladder 
Hill. The niglit mosquito, which is very abundant all over the 
Island, is in appearance like an English gnat. It comes into houses 
in clouds during the hot months, and it is questionable which is the 
most distressing, its sting or the noise it makes ; hut I certainly 
prefer the latter. 
On a hot summer’s day in Jamestown, one is frequently re- 
minded of the plagues of Egypt, at least of one of them, visions of 
which forcibly appear. I do not suppose that the Island is equal to 
most hot climates in this respect, but the inhabitants of Jamestown 
certainly receive their fair share of punishment from the swarms of 
flies which take possession of their houses during certain portions of 
the year, from January to March. 
Out of the following twenty-seven species, which were submitted 
to Mr. Walker, it seems probable that ten, which are yet unde- 
scribed, may be new and peculiar to the Island. 
Fam. Pulicidce. 
Pulex, Linn. 
P. irritans, Linn. — The habits and customs of this insect are 
much the same at St. Helena as in other parts of the world, and, as 
they are so generally known, little need here be said concerning 
them. When it takes possession of a vacated house or cottage, as 
it often does, a sure mode of destruction to it is to strew the floors 
with branches of wild mint. P. canis is also abundant. 
Fam. Mycetophilidce. 
Leia, Meig. 
L. Sanctae helense, Walk. — A Gnat-like Ely inhabiting the 
high land. Mr. Walker remarks that “ the description of this and 
of the other species is deferred in order that their affinities with other 
species may be more examined.” 
Fam. Chironomidcc. 
Cliironomus, Meig. 
*C. sp. ?_ 
*C. sp. ?’ 
Two species, the specimens of which Mr. Walker says 
were too much injured for description. They are Gnat- 
like insects, which fly about in damp situations on the 
high land during the evening time. 
