I 



96 NATURAL HISTORY. 



species (AntJtomyia lardaria), resembles the Flesh Fly in size and general appearance, having the 

 thorax streaked and the abdomen tessellated in much the same way. 



In the genus Ephydra and its allies the larvae are aquatic in their habits, generally residing 

 either in the semi-fluid green matter that is so commonly seen on the surface of stagnant water, or in 

 the mud at the bottom of shallow pools. In general these larvae possess respiratory tubes. Some of 

 them, as already mentioned, live in salt water, either on the sea-coast or in the pools of salt marshes, 

 \vhilst some have been found in strong brine. The perfect insects frequent the shores of the pools 

 in which the larvae reside, and appear to feed chiefly upon other insects. Ochthera mantis has the 

 forelegs greatly developed, the coxae long, thighs very stout, and the tibiae curved, so as to form a 

 raptorial limb. It is found commonly upon sandy shores. 



The numerous species of the genera Ortalis and Trypeta deposit their eggs upon living plants, 

 within the substance of which the larvae afterwards feed, often producing gill-like excrescences. 

 They are generally small flies, and have the wings either transparent with dark spots, or of a dark 

 colour with transparent spots, and as they walk about they keep these organs in constant tremulous 



motion. They are particularly attached to the Gompositae. Dacus 

 ohm, a species of a nearly allied genus, chiefly represented in the 

 tropics, attacks the olive. The larva feeds at first upon the leaves, 

 but afterwards upon the pulp of the fruit, which it often seriously 

 injures. It is known in Provence under the name of " Chiron." 

 The genus Chlorops includes a number of small and delicate species, 

 the larvae of which reside in living plants, and are especially attached 

 to the Gramineae. They reside within the stems of the plants, feeding 

 upon the interior substance, and thus prevent the formation of seed 



CHLOIvOPS T-/rjNIOPL S. 



by intercepting the supply of material. In this way several of the 



species are exceedingly injurious to corn crops, notwithstanding their minute size, which rarely 

 exceeds an eighth of an inch. They are generally yellow, prettily streaked on the thorax, and 

 banded on the abdomen with black (Chlorops lineatus and C. tceniopus). 



The PHORIDES constitute a small group which has been regarded as a distinct family by many 

 writers. They are distinguished by having only three longitudinal veins with no cross vein in the 

 wings, and the antennae placed quite low down towards the mouth, and exceedingly short. The 

 species, which are not numerous, are all of small size, and their larvae feed upon fungi and decaying 

 vegetable matters. 



The OEsTRlDES, forming the last sub-family of the Muscidae, are all parasitic in the larva 

 state, and are the " Bot Flies " only too well known to farmers. They have very short, wart-like 

 antennae, which are sunk into cavities of the forehead, from which nothing more than the 

 apical bristle projects, and the proboscis is quite rudimentary. The species show three 

 different modes of parasitism, but all devote their attention solely to mammals. 



Those of the genus CEstrus lay their eggs upon the hides especially of cattle and deer, and 

 the larvae, when hatched, make theiv way under the skin and there take up their abode, producing 

 large and painful swellings, with an opening at the summit, where the hinder extremity of the 

 larva remains in communication with the air for the purpose of respiration. The best-known species 

 is parasitic on our domestic cattle (CEstrus or Hypoderma bovis), and is particularly partial to young 

 steers. The abdomen of the female has a sort of telescopic termination, which is instrumental 

 in attaching the eggs to the skin of the ox. The cattle are so well aware of the danger attending 

 the presence of the insect, that as soon as it appears near them, the whole herd exhibit the 

 most unmistakable signs of terror, rushing about their pasture with their tails in the air, and 

 in case of need taking refuge in the water, where the fly will not follow them. Several other 

 species are known ; one of them (CE. act&on) attacks the Red Deer, and another (CE. tarandi) the 

 Reindeer. Those of the allied genus Cuterebra deposit their eggs upon the skin of Hares and 

 other rodents. 



The CepJialomyice choose another part of the animal for the reception of their larvae, which 

 are sometimes produced alive. They introduce their eggs or larvae into the nostrils of the unfortunate 

 animals on which they are to live, and the larvae then make their way into the frontal and maxillary 



