48 



PRIZE ESSAY : 



legs equal each other in length, being about one-fifth of an inch 

 long when extended, of which length the tarsus embraces one 

 half. Short basal joint indistinct. 



THE MALE. 



76. In the male (Fig. II) the antennae (Fig. d) are three- 

 fourths the length of the body. 



The abdomen (Fig. II) consists of seven joints besides the ter- 

 minal one, which (viewed from beneath Fig. c) consists of a 

 transversely oval joint giving off two robust processes, armed 

 with in-curved hooks at the tips. 



In the living specimen the abdomen is of a brownish-black 

 colour, more or less widely marked at the satures with pallid 

 fulvous or smoky whitish lines. In all other points the male 

 coincides with the female in its character. 



(FIG. b.) 



Nat. Size. 



(PIG. d.) 



Joints of 



Antenna 



(Male.) 



(FIG. c.) 



Ventral view of the 

 terminal segments 

 of the abdomen. 



HESSIAN FLY MALE (FIG. II.) 



HABITS. 



77. The Hesssian fly lays her eggs upon the young leaves of 

 wheat in the autumn (September) and in the spring (May). 

 Many observers have witnessed the fly in the act of depositing 

 her eggs at these seasons of the year.CO The eggs are placed 

 upon the upper surface of the young leaves of the autumn wheat, 



(1) Mr. E. Tilghman of Maryland ; Mr. Merritt of Yale College, &c., &c. 



