MUSCIDES. INSECTS. 389 



eyes, and three small ocelli. The fore part of the head is generally more membra- 

 naceous than the hind part, of a different colour, with a longitudinal furrow on each 

 side, or a groove to receive the antennae, which are generally inclined, shorter than 

 the head, and the last joint longer than the other two. The thorax is cylindrical 

 and of one apparent segment ; wings large, horizontal ; the balancers short, and 

 their appendages very large in many ; abdomen triangular or oblong, sometimes al 

 most cylindrical ; feet with two hooks or balls, and the legs in many spinous. The 

 larvae are without feet, elongated, cylindrical, soft and flexible, and feed on different 

 animal and vegetable substances. Those which feed on dead animals or putrid 

 matters serve the great purpose of nature in clearing the earth from offensive and 

 hurtful remains. One species deposit their larvae in cheese, and these have the faculty 

 of leaping to a small distance ; others give birth to living larvae. 



I. With wings. 



1. Cryptogastrce. 



Scutellum covering the upper part of the abdomen. 

 Gen. CELYPHE, (Dalman.) 



2. Creophttce. 

 Scales of the balancers large, nearly covering them ; wings generally distant. 



A. Sides of the head not prolonged in the manner of horns bearing the eyes. 



a. Wings distant. 



* Antennae elongated or of medium size. 



Gen. ECHINOMYIA, OCYPTERA, (Eriothrix^ Exorista, Cylmdromyw, Meig.); 

 MUSCA. 



** Antennae one-half shorter than the head. 



Gen. PHASIA, TRICHOPODUS, (Thereva lampes, F.) ; IDIA, METOPIA, 

 MELANOPHORA. 



b. Wings resting on the body. 



Gen. LISPE. 



B. Sides of the head prolonged into horns bearing the eyes. 



Gen. Ac HI AS. 



3. Carpomysce. 



Appendages of the balancers small ; balancers naked ; wings distant, vibratile ; an- 

 tennae always short. 

 Gen. PLATYSTOMA, TEPHRITIS, DICTYA, DACUS, MICROPEZA. 



4. Dolichocerce. 



Scales of the balancers small ; balancers naked ; wings generally resting on the body ; 

 antennae as long at least as the front of the forehead. 

 Gen. LOXOCERA, LAUXANIA, SEPEDON, TETANOCERA. 



5. Gonoceptialce. 



Scales small ; balancers naked ; wings resting on the body ; antennae shorter than 

 the front of the head ; head seen below, flat, almost triangular. 

 Gen. OTITES, OSCINIS, CALOBATA, NERIUS. 



6. ScathopUke. 



Scales small ; balancers naked ; wings resting on the body in repose ; antennae 

 shorter than the front of the head ; head almost globular or transverse. 



A. Eyes and antennae at the extremity of two lateral prolongations in the form of 

 horns. 



Gen. DIOPSIS. 



B. Head not laterally prolonged. 



a. Antennae inserted between the eyes. 



* Anterior feet for seizing. 



Gen. OCTHERA. 

 ** All the feet simply for walking. 



