DIMINUTIVE SIZE OF SOME DIPTERA. 183 



would not, to the Entomologist, convey the inference 

 which the Poet intended, the lesson of humanity will 

 by no one be appreciated more highly than by him, 

 because no one can estimate, as he does, the wonder- 

 ful structure and functions of the insect ; and 

 although, for scientific purposes, he occasionally puts 

 one to death, none would applaud more warmly the 

 conduct of Uncle Toby, when, after he had caught the 

 fly which had " buzzed about his nose, and tormented 

 him cruelly all dinner time," — "I'll not hurt thee, 

 says my Uncle Toby, rising from his chair and going 

 across the room with the fly in his hand, — I'll not 

 hurt a hair of thy head. Go, says he, lifting up the 

 sash, and opening his hand as he spoke, to let it 

 escape, go, poor devil, get thee gone ; why should I 

 hurt thee ? This world surely is wide enough to 

 hold both thee and me." 



The diminutive size of many dipterous insects is 

 more than once indicated. Thus, Lear mentions not 

 the gilded fly, but " the small gilded fly." And we 

 are told that the driver of Queen Mab's equipage was 

 not merely a grey-coated gnat, but that her Majesty 

 had for 



"Waggoner, a small grey-coated gnat." 



The latter insect is again introduced as expressive of 

 the very minimum of physical dimensions. Imogen 

 is speaking of the departure of her lord : — 



