176 THE DIPTERA. 



in size and form, and, in fact, present so many marks 

 of distinction, that the British species at present 

 described amount to nearly two thousand, and there 

 are no doubt many with which we are yet unac- 

 quainted. I do not propose to bring before you the 

 habits of the numerous families into which this vast 

 assemblage of species is divided, but to confine my- 

 self principally to those mentioned by Shakspeare. 



In a former letter I remarked, that the Poet seemed 

 cognizant of at least three or four different kinds, 

 each of which he distinguishes by some peculiarity 

 in its habits. One of these was the flesh-flies, or 

 those which prey on dead and decaying animal sub- 

 stances. The larvae of some of these insects con- 

 stituted the " convocation of poUtic worms," which 

 Hamlet describes as busy on the dead body of 

 Polonius. In a similar assemblage, one of the most 

 admired writers of the present day has introduced 

 the larva of the goat-moth, as the companion of the 

 earth-worm ; — 



" round him now the worms are met in council ; 



Cossus and Lumbricus are chosen presidents : 

 The one, because he is a judge of learning, 

 And t' other has taste in flesh." 



The Temptation. — B. Cornwall. 



Without pausing, at present, to inquire why these 

 individuals should be thus associated, or thus cha- 



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