THE COW-DUNG FLIES. 



GZ3 



junction of the legs with the body, or, if the creature be lyint;- on 

 the ground, upon the surface of the body that is next to the earth. 

 This is not the only Fly that deposits its young in tliis 

 curious manner, but I have selected the best known species as 

 an example of the group. 



On Woodcut LXXV., at Figs. 2 and 3, are sho%vn two 

 species of the well-known Dung-Flies, of which the common 



LXXV: 



1. Musca domestica. 2. Scatophaga scybalaria. 



a. Scatophaga scybalaria, antenna. 



3. Scatophaga stercoraria. 

 b. Do., tongue. 



Co"w-DUNG Fly {Scatophaga etercoraHa) is the most plentiful. 

 In this genus the last joint of the antenna is rather long, the 

 head is spherical, and the body covered with stiff hairs. These 

 Flies may always be foifnd in fields frequented by cows, as it is 

 upon the dung of these animals that tlie larvae are fed. 



The most remarkable point in the economy of these insects 

 is the development of the egg. It is necessary for the due 



