2 Mr. Spence 07i the Italian Mode 



been hitherto much neglected, I should beg particularly to direct the 

 attention of the Society, — I mean what may be called the metaphysics 

 of entomology, or an investigation of the limits which bound their 

 instincts on the one hand, and that small portion of mind and reason 

 which few will deny them, on the other. And here what is chiefly 

 to be desired are facts, the want of a sufficient collection of which 

 has hitherto been the chief cause of the vague and inconclusive way 

 in which this highly interesting subject has been often treated ; as 

 by Dr. Darwin, for example, whose theory of the supposed instinctive 

 actions of animals being really referrible to their reason solely, is 

 mainly built on statements as to changes of the instinct of a species 

 having taken place, when in reality species altogether distinct were 

 confounded together. 



These facts can be scarcely too numerous or minute if accurately 

 stated ; and to show that they may be drawn from sources not hi- 

 therto often considered within the range of the objects of a scientific 

 Society, I shall here beg to lay before you a few observations on a 

 very humble and undignified topic, — a mode practised in Italy of 

 excluding the common house-fly from their summer apartments, — 

 which, though it may perhaps at first view seem a subject more ap- 

 propriate to the pages of a magazine of domestic oeconomy, will not, 

 I trust, when its close connexion with the interesting questions just 

 alluded to, and more especially the curious and unexpected light 

 which it tlu'ows on a passage of the father of history, are considered, 

 be deemed wholly unworthy to occupy a share of the attention of the 

 Society. 



In this country the common house-flies (Musca domesticd) , towards 

 the close of the summer and the commencement of the autumnal 

 months often become a great nuisance, both from their numbers and 

 the pertinacious curiosity with which every individual of the race 

 seems resolved, for its own satisfaction, to taste, see and touch every 

 object around it, even perching upon and exploring the "human 

 face divine," as if in mockery of our boasted supremacy, and to 

 humble us by the conviction that the equanimity of the philosopher 

 as well as the comfort of the suffering invalid is often at the mercy 

 of a fly. But it is to more southern and hotter climes that we must 

 direct our view if we would form a correct idea of the real pest which 

 these little restless intruders become in the warm months, when they 

 literally almost fill the apartments. Every traveller in the South of 

 Europe during the hot months will confirm the assertion of Arthur 

 Young, that " they are the first torments in Spain, Italy, and the 

 olive districts of France. It is not that they bite, sting, or hurt, but 

 they buzz, teaze and worry : your mouth, eyes, ears and nose are 



