SPECIES OF THE GENUS MUSCA, LINNAEUS. 423 



to several species, and that there are three bristles on the radial root vein and not 

 one, as mentioned by Bezzi. It is true, as Bezzi points out, that the presence of lon^^ 

 hairs on the posterior portion of the upper surface of the squamae is unique in this 

 species, but I do not consider this to be of generic importance. 



Musca infcrioy is a true blood-sucker and is widely distributed in India, but it 

 is never seen in large numbers and is easily missed. It can always be recognised 

 by noting that as soon as it settles on the skin of an animal it begins to suck blood 

 at once, whereas Musca hezzii, which closely resembles it, flits about from one spot 

 to another. I have one male specimen, which was caught on a patch of human 

 excrement. It probably breeds in cow-dung and is almost certainh' larviparous. 



15. Musca (Philaematomyia) crassirostris, Stein. 

 .Synonym : Philaematomyia insignis, Austen. 



Musca crassirostris is one of the most important cattle pests in India, and it would 

 be well to name it the " Cattle Fly." I have little doubt that it very materially 

 reduces the quantity of milk of Indian milch cows, owing to its vicious biting habits 

 and incredible numbers. I have repeatedly seen the legs of a cow covered with 

 large numbers of this fly, and the animal then spends a great amount of its time 

 driving them off. These animals are often forced to lie down and curl their legs 

 under their bodies, in order to protect themselves from the attacks of il/. crassirostris. 



It is interesting to note that it lays a relatively large egg, which hatches out in 

 a very short time, suggesting that some development has already conmienced while 

 the egg was still in the ovary. 



It is widely distributed in the Oriental Region, and is also found in many parts 

 of Africa, and I have httle doubt that when it is more carefully looked for will be 

 found in many other localities. I see no reason for placing this species in a distinct 

 genus, Philaematomyia, on the structure of the proboscis alone, for I now know 

 Ave species that have this type of proboscis, which are otherwise typical specimens 

 of Musca. 



In a paper that is now in preparation I hope to describe five new species of Musca 

 from India (inclusive of No. 4 noted above), one of which has well-developed prestomal 

 teeth. I have now received specimens of the typical Musca domestica from Kashmir, 

 as well as M. tempestiva, Fallen, and M. vitripennis, Meigen, all collected by Dr. Baini 

 Prashad ; and including these, there are now 22 good species of the genus Musca 

 found in India. So far, I have not seen a single specimen of M. albina, Wiedemann, 

 from any part of India, although the type is said to have come from the East Indies. 

 This species has been sent to me from Egypt, and Bezzi records it under the name 

 speculifera from Djerba, Tunis. I have not seen any species which could be identified 

 as Musca minuta, Awati, M. negriabdomina, Awati, or M. striatecta, Awati. I 

 shall be very glad of any specimens of Musca from any locality in the Oriental Region, 

 and hope that those who have opportunities of collecting these flies will do so and 

 send them to me, so that the revision of this group may be satisfactorily completed. 



The Australasian Species. 



Although the National Collection is not very rich in material from the Australasian 

 Region, it contains several types and paratypes, which have enabled me to settle 

 the identity of some of the doubtful species. I have also been able to supplement this 

 collection with a number of specimens of most of the species sent me from time to 

 time by Mr. F. H. Taylor, Mr. W. W. Froggatt (Entomologist to the Government of 

 New South Wales), Dr. Eustace W. Ferguson (Department of Public Health, Sydney), 

 Professor T. Harvey Johnson, and Mr. G. F. Hill (Entomologist to the Australian 



