200 DRONE-FLIES. 



Even in its perfect state it is doing us service, for 

 in seeking pollen for its food it helps to fertilise our 

 fruit-tree blossoms, being seen upon them in the 

 early days of March, long before other tribes of 

 winged insects (excepting bees) are to be found 

 abroad. The early spring sunshine attracts them 

 from the nooks and corners where they have been 

 hibernating through the winter, and greatly do 

 they seem to enjoy rifling the newly-opened 

 flowers of our apricot and peach-trees. 



The specific name of Tenax given to this fly 

 shows its power of clinging firmly to any object 

 on which it settles. Each leg is furnished with 

 a pair of strong curved claws which, when closed, 

 appear to be like twelve grappling irons, and may 

 well account for the tenacity of hold which the 

 fly possesses. 



From the interest I have found in keeping my 

 drone-flies, I feel encouraged to try and learn more 

 of the habits of other flies and insects. I believe 

 in this way many curious facts may be ascertained 

 about the life-history of many little-known species 

 which are seen for only a limited period of the 

 year, and whose further doings have not as yet 

 been fully traced. 



