The Bluebottle: The Laying 



other points, but not on the breast, belly or 

 back, where the hide would seem too tough 

 and the light too intrusive. She needs dark 

 hiding-places, corners where the skin is very 

 delicate. The spots chosen are the cavity of 

 the axilla, corresponding with our armpit, and 

 the crease where the thigh joins the belly. 

 Eggs are laid in both places, but not many, 

 showing that the groin and the axilla are 

 adopted only reluctantly and for lack of a bet- 

 ter spot. 



With an unplucked bird, also hooded, the 

 same experiment failed: the feathers prevent 

 the Fly from slipping into those deep places. 

 Let us add, in conclusion, that, on a skinned 

 bird, or simply on a piece of butcher's meat, 

 the laying is effected on any part whatever, 

 provided that it be dark. The gloomiest cor- 

 ners are the favourite ones. 



It follows from all this that, to lay the eggs, 

 the Bluebottle picks out either naked wounds 

 or else the mucuous membranes of the mouth 

 or eyes, which are not protected by a skin of 

 any thickness. She also needs darkness. We 

 shall see the reasons for her preference later 

 on. 



The perfect efficiency of the paper bag, 

 which prevents the inroads of the worms 

 323 



