THE HORSE-FLY, AND GREEN-EYED WHAME-FLT. 533 



THE HORSE-FLY, AND GREEN-EYED WHAME-FLT. 



Th3 puncture of both these insects is extremely keen and painfuJ. 

 Daring the summer-time, th^e former torment horses and cattle ia 

 such a degree, as sora-etinves to throw them into a state of the utmost 

 agitation and alarm. They are more abundant in wet meadows and 

 pastures than in oliher places. Mankind are also not unfrequently 

 attacked by them. 



The Green-eyed species often torment mankind. Those persona 

 who are accustomed to walk in shady lanes, and in woods, during 

 the hot weather of June -and July, know well wlaat it is to suScr from 

 their attacks. 



OF THE GNATS. 



Thesk insects principally frequent woods and watery places, and, 

 in many parts, are known to the country people by the name of 

 Midges. They live by sucking the blood and juices of the larger 

 animals. 



Their larvee are very common in stagnant waters. The bodies of 

 these are composed of nine segments, the last ®f which is furnished 

 with a small cylindrical tube, through v/hich they breathe ; and they 

 frequently rise to the surface of the water for that purpose. The 

 bead of the chrysalis is bent towards the breast, so as to throw the 

 thorax in front: in this the respiratory tubes are situated, near the 

 head. The last segment of the abdomen terminates in a kind of flat 

 fin, by means of which the creature performs all its motions in the 

 water. 



THE COMMON GNAT. 



Few insects are better known than this species of Onat, and thero 

 are not many that afford a more interesting history. 



The female deposits her eggs on the surface of the water, and sur- 

 rounds them with a kind of unctious matter, whicb prevents thena 

 from sinking; and shie at tbe same time fastens them with a thread 

 to the bottom, to prevent them from being floated away from a place, 

 the warmth of which is proper for their production, to any other 

 ■where the water may be too cold, or the animals their enemies, too 

 numerous. In this state, therefore, they resemble a buoy that is f xed 

 by an anchor. As they come to maturity they sink deeper ; and at 

 last, when they leave the egg, they creep, in the form of grubs, at th« 

 bottom. 



It is impossible to behold and not admire the beautiful structure of 

 the proboscis, through which the Gnat draws the juices that afford it 



