54 THE INSECT WOELD. 



the extremities black, and the exterior edge of the wings yellow. 

 This species is frequently met with in woods. 



A third species, Chrysops ccecutiens (Fig. 34), which belongs 

 to the same family, and of which the generic name chrysops 

 signifies golden-eyed, torments horses and cattle very much by 

 stinging them round the eyes. Its thorax is of yellowish colour, 

 striped or spotted with black ; the abdomen yellow, and the eyes 

 golden. 



In the next group of the Brachycera the sucker is composed of 



four bristles, and the antennae gene- 

 rally terminate in a point which 

 appears to be rather a development 

 than an appendage. 



This group includes a number of 

 genera, but the following only pos- 

 sess sufficient interest to claim our 

 attention. From the Tanystomce we 

 select the families of the Asilici, Em- 

 pidice, and Bombyliarii. As types of 

 the Brachystomce we select the Lep- 

 tides and Syrphici. 



The chief characteristic of the 

 Asilici is strength. All their organs 

 combine to produce this quality, 

 which they display only too much, 

 being as formidable to cattle as the 

 Tabani, but even surpassing those 

 insects in native cruelty. 



The Asilici unceasingly attack other 

 insects, and even those of their own 

 kind. Their trunk is strong ; one of 



Fig. 35. Asilus crabroniformis. lV m on i r i ^ 



the li ores oi the sucker is iurnisned 



with small points, turned back, which are intended to hold firmly 

 to the body into which it has entered. They carry on their 

 devastations in the glades of woods and on sunny roads. 



We will mention in this group, Asilus crabroniformis (Fig. 35), 

 an insect ten to twelve lines long, having a yellow head, black 

 antennae, and thorax of a brownish yellow. The three first seg- 



