HOUSE FLY, rule 
From these the Musca domestica are distinguishable by having, not 
a sharp pricker, but ‘a soft proboscis adapted for suction, but in- 
capable of penetrating the skin; so that when these insects trouble 
man and animals, it is only to imbibe their perspiration. They cause 
annoyance by their importunity, and irritate by the tickling and 
itching they induce by their pads and proboscis.”’ * 
In the past year, besides enquiries merely regarding methods of 
prevention and remedy for the visitations of these flies, I was favoured 
by receipt of so much interesting observation by Dr. Spooner Hart, 
Calcutta, relatively to annoyance caused by this Musca domestica, and 
its propagation in horse-dung, that, with Dr. Hart’s notes, I have 
endeavoured to form some connected account of the life-history of 
these very great pests, together with some slight addition regarding 
measures I have found of service in getting rid of them. 
The description of the House Fly, Musca domestica, is thus given 
shortly, but enough detailed for practical purposes, by John Curtis :— 
“Tt is clothed with black hairs and bristles; the antenne are 
black, with feathered set; the eyes are remote, particularly in the 
females, and are of a dull or brownish red; the space between them 
is black, but the face between them is satiny yellowish white, and a 
similar line surrounds the eyes; the thorax is bright grey, with four 
blackish longitudinal lines; the abdomen cinereous or clouded ochreous, 
with a blackish line down the back, and smaller elongated spots on 
each side, varying with the light; the belly is ochreous, base of the 
wings yellowish; the six legs are long, slender, and blackish. The 
abdomen of the males is of a transparent ochre on the sides, and the 
apex is rounded; but in the females it is conical, and often of a 
clouded ash colour.’’ + 
For the sake of forming a tolerably connected life-history of M. 
domestica, the species most particularly known as the House Fly, I 
have given the main points as recorded by John Curtis, Dr. J. Ritzema 
Bos, Dr. E. L. Taschenberg, and Mr. Edw. Butler; but at the same 
time I should note that I have only selected just enough from their 
detailed and valuable records to give the chief points needed, referring 
my readers in each case to the original writers. 
It appears that this infestation may pass the winter in fly, maggot, 
or pupa state; and beginning with their earliest appearance, Dr. 
Taschenberg mentions that with the new year the flies may be seen 
with weakly legs struggling about on some sunny piece of wall; but 
with spring air, spring feeling awakens, and they become possessed of 
* «Parasites and Parasitic Diseases of Domesticated Animals,’ by L. J. Neu- 
mann; translated by Geo. Fleming, C.B., LL.D., F.R.C.V.S., p. 32. 
t+ “The House Flies,’ by Ruricola (John Curtis), ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle,’ 
February ard, 1844, p. 68. 
