464 
has  not  so  far  been  able  to  find  the  larval  stages  in  cattle  dung  ; 
though  the  insect  has  been  reared  artificially  in  such  materials.  In 
Jamaica,  as  in  Europe,  the  flies  generally  confine  their  attacks  to 
the  back  and  flanks  of  the  cattle,  and  they  show  a  marked  preference 
for  certain  animals,  such  as  roans  and  blacks,  though  for  some 
unaccountable  reason  they  have  been  seen  to  single  out  a  red-coloured 
cow  and  leave  the  rest  of  the  herd  in  comparative  peace.  It  is  a 
most  vicious  biter  and  will  follow  cattle  into  the  shade  in  sheds  as 
well  as  under  trees,  causing  them  great  annoyance. 
The  first  indication  of  its  presence  in  Jamaica  was  made  by  Mr. 
Stephen  Maxwell,  of  Elphinstowe,  St.  Elizabeth,  who,  in  forwarding- 
examples  for  identification,  stated  that  ‘  these  flies  have  been  noticed 
here  for  the  first  time  this  year,  and  are  very  troublesome.’  This 
locality  is  in  the  mountains  of  the  Santa  Cruz  range.  Subsequently 
the  writer  met  with  this  insect  in  several  places,  never,  however,  in 
great  numbers  ;  and  it  would  seem  at  present  as  if  it  were  more 
particularly  confined  to  the  parishes  of  St.  Elizabeth  and  Manchester. 
Dr.  Froggatt^  records  the  occurrence  of  this  pest  at  Vera  Cruz,  and 
says  that  when  leaving  this  place  for  Habana,  Cuba,  that  on  coming 
on  board  the  vessel  he  found  ‘  the  cattle  were  smothered  with  the 
blood-sucking  Horn-fly,’  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  this  insect  is 
common  in  some  of  the  other  West  Indian  islands.  As  a  remedy,  or 
rather  a  preventative,  against  the  attacks  of  the  flies  the  wash 
recommended  for  ticks  may  also  act  as  a  deterrent  against  this  insect. 
In  the  United  States  train  oil,  or  train  oil  with  a  little  sulphur  or 
carbolic  acid  added,  has  been  found  to  keep  off  the  flies  for  a  few 
days  ;  and  a  spade  full  of  lime  thrown  upon  cow  dung  will  destroy 
the  larvae  which  may  be  living  in  it.  (Howard,  loc.  cii.). 
THE  ‘STABLE  FLY’ 
Slomoxys  caLcitrans  (Linn.). 
This  is  the  commonest  blood-sucking  fly  in  the  Island,  and 
appears  to  be  very  generally  distributed  ;  and  although  it  usually 
occurred  m  small  numbers,  in  one  or  two  instances  it  was  plentiful 
enough  to  cause  the  animals  annoyance  by  its  persistent  attacks. 
*  Official  Report  on  Fruit  and  other  Pests  in  various  countries,  1907-8,  p.  26. 
