390 SYSTEM OF INSECTS. 



DEF. Metamorphosis obtected*. 



Mouth antliate 5 . 



Prothorax very short, covered by a pair of tip- 

 pets. 



Wings four, covered partially or generally with 

 minute scales : neuration branching, often 

 with a central areolet. 



10. DIPTERA C (Antliata F.). This Order likewise 

 appears indebted for its name to the philosopher of 

 Stagyra, who distinguishes the members of it from their 

 counter-parts the Hymenoptera by their having an 

 oral, while these have an anal sting d : and we may add, 

 that while the last, on account of their wonderful eco- 

 nomy and the benefits which by them PROVIDENCE con- 

 fers upon mankind, have been justly regarded as the 

 princes of the winged insect world, the former, when 

 we consider the filthy and disgusting habits of their 

 grubs, and the annoyance, both from their numbers and 

 incessant assaults, of them, in their fly-state, may very 

 properly be considered as its canaille. Almost all the 

 tribes of Hymenoptera, from the saw-flies to the ants, 

 have their representatives in this Order. Though the 

 number of wings is its prominent feature, yet there are 

 two-winged insects in other Orders, as some Ephemera; 

 and the Eproboscidea of Latreille seem rather a kind of 

 winged Aptera, if we consider their trophi^ than real 

 Diptera ; or they may form an osculant group, partly 

 winged and partly apterous, between the two. I have 

 before remarked, that though, apparently, the insects of 



a VOL. I. p. 65. b VOL. III. p. 468. 



1 From B/s, twice y or double, ri Hist. Animal. 1. iv. c, 1, 27. 



