DIPTEKA : MUSCID^E. 419 



The Genus Sarcophaga contains the Flcsh-Flies, which 

 are viviparous, and which deposit their larvae upon animal 

 matter and other substances in a state of decomposi- 

 tion. Reaumur found twenty thousand larvae in a single 

 flesh-fly. 



The Genus Mtisca contains the common House-Fly, 

 M. domestica, Linn., the larvae of which are found in 

 manure ; the Blue-bottle Fly, M. Ccesar, Linn. ; and the 

 Meat-Fly, M. vomitoria, Linn., which deposits its eggs, 

 known as fly-blows, upon meat and other dead animal 

 matter. 



The Genus Stomoxys comprises flies which frequent 

 our apartments, and pierce our flesh to obtain blood. 

 Anthomyia contains species whose larvae attack the rad- 

 ish and other roots. Ortalis and its allies produce galls 

 in plants, or lay eggs in raspberries and other fruit. 

 Tephrites causes the swellings in the stems of asters. 

 Oscinus lays its eggs in the flowers of grain, and the young 

 consume the grain. Scatophaga contains the Dung-Flies, 

 which are almost always seen on manure. The males are 

 bright ochre-yellow. 



HIPPOBOSCID^E, Leach, OR SPIDER-FLY FAMILY. This 

 Family comprises small flat-bodied flies, which infest 

 quadrupeds and birds. They are not produced from 

 eggs in the usual way, but are brought forth in the pupa 

 state. The pupae are soft and white at first, but soon 

 become hard and brown. 



The Genus Hippobosca nestles in the hair of the horse ; 

 Ornithomyia lives in the plumage of birds ; Nycteribia con- 

 tains the Bat-ticks, and Mellophaga the Sheep-ticks. 



PuLiciDjE, Steph., OR FLE> FAMILY. This Family 

 embraces the fleas, which are wingless flies, with hard, 

 compressed bodies, a sucker-like arrangement of the 

 mouth-parts, and large hind legs, formed for leaping 

 Different species inhabit different animals. 



