DIP TER A. 
453 
The adult fly, on emerging from the pupa-skin, rises to 
the surface of the water and takes flight at once. Soon 
after this, the eggs are laid. We have often watched the 
flies hovering over the brink of a fall where there was a thin 
sheet of swiftly-flowing water, and have seen them dart into 
the water and out again. At such times we have always 
found the surface of the rock more or less thickly coated 
with eggs, and have no doubt that an egg is fastened to the 
rock each time a fly darts into the water. 
The above account is based on observations made on the 
Innoxious Black-fly, Simulium innoxiutn (Si-mu'li-um in- 
nox'i-um), which is exceedingly common in the streams 
about Ithaca, N. Y. This species, fortunately, is not blood¬ 
thirsty, for, notwithstanding its great abundance in this 
locality, we have never known it to bite. 
The Southern Buffalo-gnat, Simulium pecuarum (S. pec- 
u-a'rum), of the Mississippi Valley is a terrible pest, which 
causes the death of many mules and other domestic animals. 
The popular name of this insect refers to a fancied resem¬ 
blance in the shape of the insect when viewed from one side 
to that of a buffalo. 
The Turkey-gnat, Simulium meridionale (S. me-rid-i-o- 
na'le), closely resembles the preceding in habits, infesting 
all kinds of domestic animals; but as it appears at the time 
that turkeys are setting and causes great injury to this fowl, 
it is commonly known as the Turkey-gnat. 
The Adirondack Black-fly, Simulium molestum (S. mo- 
les'tum), is a scourge in the mountains of the Northeastern 
States. 
Family Tabanid^E (Ta-ban'i-dae). 
The Horse-flies . 
The horse-flies are well-known pests of stock, and are 
often extremely annoying to man. They appear in sum¬ 
mer, are common in woods, and are most abundant in the 
hottest weather. 
