Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-05-07

Mr.. Otto Lugger, the naturalist, formerly of
Johns Hopkins University, and now con-
nected with the agricultural bureau in Wash
ington, has lately returned from a scientific
investigation of the buffalo gnat" in Ten
nessee and Mississippi, whittier he was sent
by the government. The buffalo gnat" is,
during the months Of March and April, a
most dreadful pest in the Southwest The
insect is about one third the size of the com.
mon bousc-fly, and gets its name from the
resemblance OF its profile TO the buffalo.
They came, no one knew whence, 10 myriads,
appearing suddenly, attacking horses and
cattle, and killing them by blood poisoning
in three hours. The common idea of the
people was that they were bred in the
swamps. They had no chronological his.
tory, and for some weeks Mr.. Logger was
nearly in despair to get well ON the track
for his study, but he succeeded finally, and
To his entire satisfaction. The local pre-
ventives are grease and smoke. When the
swarms of the insects appears they often
do-suddenly, it Is necessary 10 kindle fires
in the tields or, il on the rm t. ~ hive
grease at hand with which tI rub all over
the beasts. Mr. Logger says the buffalo
gnat is the Most unc, aslh,, y active insect in
all creation. There are some other very
active nsects-like the flea, for instance
which are sometimes In repose, but the
buffalo gnats are never at rest. Only heat
quets them, and when the weather gets very
warm they disappear. Prof. Logger traced
their origin 10 small worm, which is de
posted on the leaves in the swamps and
along the running brooks among the debris.
He has obtained u complete chronological
history Of the insect, which he has embodied
in a report to be Published by the Interior
Department Clearing out the streams and
permitting the running water 10 carry off
the worms will destroy the embryos, and
greatly lessen production. Mr.. Lugger says
the gnats attack horses and cattle always
on some tender and unprotected spot, where
they cluster In great swarm, and put in
their work until the victim dies The work
is done by biting. the apparatus being de-
scribed as the most cruel and effective on
record. The gnats sometimes attack hu.
man beings, but never when there are horses
or cattle TO be found. Mr. Lugger spent
several weeks In Tennessee and Mississippi,
and describes his experience as one Of ex-
cepti onal personal interest, the country, its
people and its surroundings being all new
To him. He Is very patient and indomit-
able worker, and an enthusiastic naturalist.
He says he found nearly everything In the
South west In state Of nature, especially
the "bufalo gnst"
Religious. The ri. Rev. VIM. Paret,
d. d., Bishop Of Maryland, visited st.
Peters Parish, this county, last Sunday,
Rev. Henry Thomas, Rector, and confirmed
10 persons-10 in st. Peters, Poolesville,
and in Christ Church, GAINESVILLE.
Large and OVERLOOKING congregations
were present at both places, and the floral
decoratiops were beautifully and tastefully
arranged
The Bishop made most pleasing and
favorable impression. He seems 10 have
won the hearts OF all, and preached two
sermons which were grand, and at the same
time so plain that ac6id could upderstan /.
He'was introduced TO the congregation after
service by the Rector, and had pleasant
word for all, even for the little boy and girl
The church In Maryland may feel for
tunate that II has such man for It's chief
officer, one who possesses the rare business
qualities so important for the Episcopate
and who also breaches the Word with feel.
ing, simplicity and tenderness, yet with
power. x.