234 DIPTEEA. 



SUB-FAMILY III. Sarcophagince. 



Antennal bristle pectinated at the base, and naked at the tip ; 

 forehead broad. 



The species of Sarcophila, Rond., are moderate-sized grey flies, 

 which occur in many parts of the world, but are fortunately not 

 often common. They attack man and beast, laying their eggs in 

 or near the nose, mouth, ears, or other external apertures, and the 

 larvae burrow in the flesh, causing the most frightful injuries, 

 which often prove fatal. This is especially the case with S. 

 Wohlfahrti, Portch., found in South Russia. The larvse of another 

 insect or insects, probably belonging to the same genus, are some- 

 times exceedingly troublesome in Texas, where they are known as 

 "screw-worms." The "screw-worms" are now stated to be the 

 larvss of Lucilia Macellaria, Fabr., a species of Muscince ; but I can- 

 not give fuller particulars, as no competent American entomologist 

 has yet inquired into the subject scientifically. 



The flies of the genus Sarcophaga, Meig., much resemble those 

 of Sarcophila, but are much more abundant. One of the com- 

 monest and most conspicuous species is Sarcophaga Carnaria, Linn., 

 a black fly with grey longitudinal stripes on the thorax, and the 

 abdomen tesselated with white, grey, and dark brown. It mea- 

 sures about half an inch in length. The larva is said to be 

 parasitic on earthworms. 



SUB-FAMILY IV. Muscince. 



Antennal bristle pectinated to the tip ; eyes often contiguous 

 or nearly so in the males; straight, naked or hairy; abdomen 

 without bristles, or very slightly bristly towards the tip. 



The Muscidce include the genus Musca, Linn., as restricted by 

 modern authors, and are the most typical of all the Diptera. 

 Several species are common in houses almost throughout the year. 



Stomoxys Calcitrans, Linn., much resembles the common house- 

 fly, but has a more pointed proboscis, with which it is able to 

 inflict a rather sharp puncture. It is grey, the thorax with three 

 whitish stripes, and the abdomen yellowish brown, with three 

 rather indistinct brown spots on the second and following seg- 

 ments. The larvse probably live in dunghills, and the flies are 

 common in houses, especially in rainy weather, as well as out of 

 doors. 



Closely allied to this species is the famous African Tsetse Fly 

 (Glossina Morsitans, Westw.). It is a brown fly, rather larger than 



