756 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



that they are shining jetty black, and the same colour extends 

 upwards in a triangular form, as seen in the illustration. The 

 wings are ashen grey. The specific name, tumcns, signifies 

 " swollen," and is one of the characteristics of the family, 

 which are sometimes called Vesiculosa?, i.e. Bladder Flies. 



We now come to the Asilida?, some of the finest of the insect 

 t ribes. They prey upon other insects, as can be seen by watch- 

 ing the proceedings of our English species. A Continental 



Fig. 408. — Dasypogon spectrum, 



(Yellow and Mack.) 4 



species, Asihis diadema, has been seen even to capture and kill 

 the hive bee, in spite of its sting. Some of the larger species 

 are said to attack cattle, like the Breeze Flies. AVe shall exa- 

 mine several species of this group, one (if them a yet un- 

 described insect. 



The first species is a native of China, and is a formidable 

 looking insect. It is entirely yellow and black, the latter being 

 the ground color r, and the former due to a thick coat of bright 



