377 



It is not the object of this note to enter into a description of the 

 species of Hippelates mentioned above. They are carefully described 

 by Loew in his " CenturiiTe," and tlie characteristic features of two 

 species [H. flavipes and H. plebejus) are well set out by the accompany- 

 ing- illustrations, which were drawn by Miss L. Sullivan, under super- 

 vision of Mr. Coquillett. It suffices to say here that in form of body, 

 general appearance, and mode of locomotion the Hippelates resemble 

 our common house fly, but they are much smaller than the latter, aver- 

 aging not more than about 1.75""", in length. In spite of their smdll 

 size they are, when alive, quile conspicuous by the bright color of the 

 legs and of a part of the abdomen, which, in the case of H. far ipes aud 

 ff.pusio, strongly contrast with the brilliantly black color of head and 

 thorax. lu H. plebejus almost the entire abdomen is yellow, but tlie 

 forepart of the body is opaque and grayish, A pecuharity of Hippe- 



FlQ. 38. — irip2>elati's I'lebejus : much enlarged (original). 



lates is the hardness of their bodies, and a slap with the hand which 

 would be sufticient to crush any mosquito or house fly does not hurt 

 them in the least. 



Xotes on the habits. — The flies are strictly diurnal, aud continue to be 

 troublesome from early morning till near sunset, being most aggressive 

 during the hot and sultry hours of the afternoon. They preferably 

 frequent open and sunny places, while in the shade of dense forests 

 their presence is not noticeable. They are equally troublesome in the 

 open country away from human habitations and in the streets of small 

 towns, but I do not recollect having seen them in any number on the 

 streets of the larger cities. They enter the houses, but evidently do 

 not feel at ease in the rooms, for they do not attack people, but congre- 

 gate on the panes of the windows if these happen to be closed. When 



