376 INSECTS. DIPTERA. 



ing a sucker of five pieces ; wings lying horizontally on the 

 body with scales on the nerves. 



The animals of this genus, well known for their avidity for blood, are the scourge 

 of many countries. The gnats or musquitoes, as they are termed, prevail in some 

 places to such a degree as to make it necessary to secure the body from their at- 

 tacks, even in the hours of repose. For this purpose in many of the warmer coun- 

 tries gauze curtains are necessary ; and in Lapland, where the species in summer 

 are excessively multiplied, the natives are obliged to coat their face and hands with 

 grease, and to burn fire round their dwellings, to avoid or moderate their attacks. 



C. pipiens, Lin. The Gnat. Body cinereous ; segments of the ab- 

 domen with a transverse brown line ; wings transparent, with a 

 slight obscure tint ; legs the colour of the body ; antennae of the 

 male plumose. 3 lines long. Europe. B. Shaw, vi. pi. 109. 



C. pulicaris, Lin. The Midge. Body slender and elongated ; an- 

 tennae plumose and forked at the extremity ; wings white, with 

 three obscure points, from which arise as many paler transverse 

 bands. About a line long. Inhabits Europe, in woods. Fab. 

 Spec. ii. 470. 



C. equinus, Lin. Antennae filiform ; head black, with the forehead 

 whitish ; thorax black, with the sides cinereous ; abdomen black- 

 ish. Resembles a small fly. Inhabits Northern Europe, and at- 

 tacks horses particularly. Fab. Spec. ii. 470. 



C. annulatus, Fab. Blackish, with the abdomen and feet ringed 

 with white, and five blackish spots on the wings. Inhabits Eu- 

 rope. Nouv. Diet. viii. 339. 



TRIBE II. TIPULARLE. 



Rostrum sometimes very short, and terminated by two large 

 lips, sometimes in the form of a syphon or beak more or less 

 long, but directed longitudinally under the body ; sucker of 

 two pieces ; palpi slightly hairy, generally bent, and always 

 very short when elevated. 



This tribe comprehends the genus Tipula of Linnaeus. Their body is generally 

 elongated ; the head round, with two large reticulated eyes ; the thorax tumid and 

 round ; the wings much elongated ; the balancers long ; abdomen long and cylin- 

 drical ; legs long and slender in the greater number, and the tarsi terminated by two 

 small hooks. They are distinguished at first sight from all the other Diptera by 

 their slender body and wings and very long legs. The larger species are found in 

 meadows and pastures from the commencement of spring till the end of autumn. 

 The larvae vary much in form and in the places which they inhabit. In general 

 they resemble small worms, and are found in moist meadows, undergo their meta- 

 morphosis under ground, and are changed into pupae of a grayish colour, with 

 the segments rough with tuberosities. The larvae of the smaller species are found 

 in dung, mushrooms, or in water. Latreille divides this tribe into five sections. 



I. Antennae slender, filiform, or setaceous, sensibly longer than the head, at least in 

 the males, of more than twelve joints in the greater number ; feet long and slen- 

 der. 



1. No ocelli. 



A. Palpi always short ; anterior extremity of the head not prolonged into a rostrum ; 

 wings close to the body or inclined, with a few nerves running longitudinally ; eyes 

 lunate ; legs without spines. The smaller species live in the larva and pupa state 

 in water or vegetable galls. 



