THE ANTHOMYIID^E 77 



Linnaeus is reported to have said that the 

 progeny of three blow-flies could devour the 

 carcass of an ox as quickly as a lion could. 

 This would have to be under favourable con- 

 ditions for the multiplication of the insects. 



'The other division of the Diptera is the 

 Anthomyiidae. These are similar in general 

 appearance to the common house-fly. They 

 form a large family of flies, and possibly the 

 most unattractive of the order. The eyes of 

 the male fly are very large and almost touch 

 each other. The main vein posterior to the 

 middle of the wing is continued straight to the 

 margin, and this being only so in the case of 

 the Anthomyiidae it forms the chief distinguish- 

 ing feature. The habits of the larva are varied. 

 Many attack vegetables, produce disintegration 

 in them and thus bring about decomposition. 

 Market gardeners are well aware of the 

 destructive powers of the Anthomyiidae.'* 



Flies at best are not desirable visitors in our 

 houses, but it is evident that they act as 

 scavengers on a tremendous scale by devour- 

 * Cambridge Natural History. 



