SYRPHID^.. 



39» 



Fig. 318. 



flowers in the spring, aud are common tlii'ougliout the sprint. 

 They scoop up the pollen of the flowers with their maxillge. 

 We have received from Mr, E. T. Cox the 

 puparium (Fig. 318) of a species which in- 

 habits the salt vats of the Equality Salt 

 "Works of Gallatin County, 111. The pupa- 

 rium of a species of Helophilus closely re- 

 sembling that figured by Westwood (Class. Insects, Fig. 131, 

 8), has been found living in the salt water canal of the 



Naumkeag Factory leading 

 into Salem Harbor, and is in 

 the Museum of the Peabody 

 Acadeni}'. 



Closely allied to Eristalis is 

 the genus Merodon, of which 

 M. hardus Say (Fig. 319 ; a, 

 puparium, natural size) is fre- 

 Fig- 3i!». quentlj' met with. Its thorax, 



the first abdominal ring and the side of the second are cov- 

 ered with short j^ellow hairs ; it is .70 of an inch in length. 

 The puparium is of the same length, and 

 is cylindrical, ending suddenl}' in a re- 

 spiratory filament a little longer than the 

 bod}' ; it is quite stout, contracting be- 

 yond its middle into a slender filament. 

 On each al)dominal ring is a pair of small, 

 low, flattened tubercles crowned b}- a 

 number of radiating spinules. Its larva 

 is undoubtedly aquatic, like that of Eris- 

 talis. Mr. Sanborn has also reared from the pupa state M. 

 Narcissi, which probablj'^ lives in the soil about 

 decaying Inilbs, as the puparium has no respira- 

 tory tube, but instead a \ery short sessile trun- 

 cated projection, scarcely as long ay It is thick, 

 with a pair of stigmata in the end ; the body is 

 C3dindrical and rounded alike at each end, with a slight con- 



ries perl'crtly vivificil; it is ji true artcM-ial lilood. These oapillavies are not in 

 communication with the venous fapillaries; tlie blood is taken u|) hy tlie tissues, 

 it nourishes them and Hows into the venous lacuna;, and tlie lacunar ciirrenta 

 cany it to the dorsal vessel." Aitnules den Sciences Xuturelles, 1808. 



