The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-30
THE BUFFALO GNAT.
THE PROPHECIES OF PROF. LUG
GER MISLEADING.
Say About the Pests That Pre-
vail in April and may.

To the Editors Of the Appeal.
PETERS, ARK, May 2S.-A few
weeks ago there appeared 10 your
daily issue an article written by Pref.
Lueger on the subject of the whilom
buffalo pnat--an article so frsugbt
with errors and false conclusions that
the very negro laborer, resident in
this reg on, did mock and ridicule it.
1t was usual in by.gone times when a
discoverer in anatomical parts of the
human system graphically described
such parts to have his name immor-
talized by calling such part after bis
name-so also in the domains OF
ornithology, dermatology or any
other department OF natural science
TO signaliz the name of distinguished
discoveIer by giving to some con-
spicuous obi ect of that domain bis
name. Therefore let the former
name, buffalo gnat, go, and ever
hereafter that pest shall be called the
Lugger gnat. The distinguished dis.
coverer ha, enlightened the world,
and especially The inhabitants Of
The Mississippi bottom, with romantic
account Of real live insect that never
fails to announce his own pres ence, and
has so embellished an imaginary
origin and an existence that hence
forth it can be readily recognized as
the Lueger gnat. 1t will be difficult
mater to find man, woman or child,
IN the whole KENT of the Mississippi
aluvium or that Of its tributaries who
will not be astonished TO hear that
these gnat5 are not the results OF the
overhows which visit these regions
almost every year, and to hear that
they are generated in piles OF leaves
drifled together clear water is
sine qua non to their production and not
the muddy water of treshet, and
that the spring OF 1886 shall be almost
entirely exempt from their annoy
ance.
1t can readily be imagined after such
an JUNCTION in shape OF prophecy
most desirable, what a cruel dieap-
pointment must follow the realization
of these delusive promises, given ten.
fold more forcs than if the visitation
had followed in course the overflow,
as a natural consequence, as every
body in this country expected them 10
do But Miserable Dictu. The fa'al
effects OF these LuPger gnsts have
never been more destructive to aui
NAL life or annoying to human beings
than they have been this present
spring OF 1885, and the heavy Losses
are in some measure attributable II
the favorable announcement OF the
Washington professor. Had he nevel
foretold an exemption from the an
! noyances of the gnat, the usual anti
dotes and representatives. Of their poi
son would have been timely prepared
and every b 0dy on their guard. The
; inhabitants would net have been lures
n into fat Il supineness. One man
! know would not have lost 100 head o
= cattle; ano her all his sheep and hogs
|. another all his mules, and man,
a Others part ofsl their stock, with tn
4 attendant evil, charbou, to kill or rui
the service of the work stock the ba
. ancs Of the Season. A Rovtrnmen
y officsl is forced 10 make some sort
!, repCr', right or wrong, for wh'c
Uncle Sam is amply abe 10 pay, 40
= tn, 50 reports contribute to swell OF
;, the ponderous tones OF scientih
u no htngness which spice the agricul
). ural reports OF Congress too Otter
y Away, then, with all such delusiy
u projects of sending out men 10 max
i reports that will shame true .scienc
and away with all adventures who's
+ reports are a curse to the country thi
looks to Washington for relief.