188 THB AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
to other larvae hag been frequently noticed by naturalists. 
Thus Gurney found when investigating the habits of fruit fly 
maggots, that these were capable of surviving and completing 
their metamorphosis after immersion in sea water, methylated 
spirts, or even kerosene. P. Schulze (Zool. Anseig, 1912) 
describes his finding maggots of a small fly (Drosophila ru- 
brostriata) swimming in the formaline in some tins of pre- 
served specimens from Africa, and that these were not in- 
convenienced by the addition of more strong formaline solu- 
tion. 
One of the difficulties in destroying sheep fly maggots is 
the power which they possess after being drenched with oil, 
carbolic, or other mixtures, or crawling into soft soil in which 
they can clean themselves and pupate without having suffered 
any permanent injury. 
The occurrence of larvae of flies of the genera Mphydra 
and Halmopta in the brine of salt pits in Europe, and of 
othersin similar unpromising situations, is well known. 
Perhaps the most remarkable case on record is that of the 
Petroleum Fly (Psilopa petroler), described in Pomono Col- 
lege Jour., of Entom. Vol. iv., p. 687, May, 1912, by D. L. 
Crawford. The larva of this fly lives, feeds, and swims in 
‘the pools of crude petroleum oil at the various oil fields of 
California. Careful investigation shows that the larvae ap- 
parently derive their nourishment from the oil and not from 
insects or other oganisms which have got mixed therewith. 
The adult flies hover about the oil pools, while the young 
from the moment of hatching until they crawl out to assume 
the pupal stage, live entirely swimming in the oil. Im- 
mersion in the oil is immediately fatal to the flies themselves. 
Full details, with illustrations, are given of the curious mech-~- 
anism by which breathing is affected without permitting the 
oil to enter the spiracles . W.W.F. 
AUSTRALIAN FAUNA AND FLORA. 
All lovers of Nature will read the following extract with 
pleasure.—Kd. 
The gradual disappearance of birds and trees ind 
to the Richmond River has been exciting the attention of local 
naturalists for some time. In order to prevent the entire 
effacement, the Lismore Council has passed resolutions ex- 
pressing regret at the rapid disappearance of native birds and 
animals. It was suggested that the Government of New 
South Wales should set aside ample areas of land and water 
for sanctuaries for the birds, and also that children in the 
various schools should be continuously impressed with the 
necessity for the birds’ preservation. It was also suggested 
that a close season of at least five years’ duration should be 
declared for all native game, and a perpetual season for all 
insectivorous birds.—Sydney ‘‘Telegraph,’’ 28th August. 
igenous 
