276 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



usually opened with a razor. It is the province 

 of the barbers to pcriorm this operation. 



Besides the enormous quantity of common flies, 

 which torment both men and animals in this 

 scorching climate, I observed another species very 

 like the common fly, only smaller; its body is 

 entirely covered with hair, and of a blackish 

 brown colour, deep and shining. These flies 

 were brought to my boat in a basket of fruit. 



Another description of flies, whosehead and body 

 are of a bright green, v^^ith a little black at the ex- 

 tremity of the body, and some small transversal 

 streaks of the same colour under the belly, are fre- 

 quently to be seen at Tahta ; I observed them since 

 at Rossetta, where they disappear during the winter 

 season. These flies in general remain on the ground, 

 where they feed upon everything they meet with, 

 fl-uit, the remains of victuals, excrement, &c. &:c. 



In Upper Egypt you meet very frequently vv'ith 

 a beautiful species of the ichneumon fly, wliich 

 only appear in the lower country during the sum- 

 mer months. Some of these are of a blue and 

 violet colour, with brilliant golden reflexes, and 

 others of a sparkling golden green. A long sharp 

 sting projects from the extremity of the belly. 



These 



