THE HORSE-FLY, AND GREEN-EYED WHAME-FLT. 533 



THE HORSE-FLY, AND GREEN-EYED WHAME-FLY. 



Ths puncture of both these insects is extremely keen and painfiii. 

 Daring the summer- time, the former torment horses and cattle ia 

 such a degree, as sometimes to throw them into a state of the utmost 

 agitation and alarm. They are more abundant in wet meadows and 

 pastures than in other places. Mankind are also not unfrequently 

 attacked by them. 



The Green-eyed specks often torment mankind. Those persona 

 who are accustomed to walk in shady lanes, and in woods, during 

 the hot weather -of June And July, know well what it is to sui&r from 

 their .attacks. 



OF THE GNATS. 



THESE insects principally frequent woods and watery places, and, 

 in many parts, are known to the country people by the name of 

 Midges. They live by sucking the blood and juices of the larger 

 animals. 



Their larvee are very common in stagnant waters. The bodies of 

 these are composed of nine segments, the last of which is furnished 

 with a small cylindrical tube, through which they breathe ; and they 

 frequently rise to the surface of the water for that purpose. The 

 head of the chrysalis is bent towards the breast, so as to throw the 

 thorax in front: in this the respiratory tubes are situated, near the 

 head. The last segment of the abdomen terminates in a kind of flat 

 fin, by means of which the creature performs all its motions in the 

 water. 



THE COMMON GNAT. 



Few insects are better known than this species of <jnat, and there 

 are not many that afford a more interesting history. 



The female deposits her eggs on the surface of the water, and sur- 

 rounds them with a kind of u notions matter, which prevents them 

 from sinking; .and she at the same time fastens them with a thread 

 to the bottom, to prevent them from being floated away from a place, 

 the warmth of which is proper for their production, to any other 

 where the water may be too cold, or the animals their enemies, too 

 numerous. In this state, therefore, they resemble a buoy that is fixed 

 by an anchor. As they conae to maturity they sink deeper ; and at 

 last, when they leave the egg, they creep, in the form of grubs, at th^ 

 bottom. 



It is impossible to behold and not admire the beautiful structure of 

 the proboscis, through which the Gnat draws the juices that afford it 



