ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



E 1 1 1 ST A LIS TE N A X . Fabrkius. 

 Musca tenax. Linn. 



Dr. Shaw says of this insect, which is about the 

 size of a Drone, and of a brown colour, with trans- 

 parent wings, and the first and second segment of the 

 body yellowish on each side—" It proceeds from a 

 larva of a very singular appearance, being a long- 

 tailed brown maggot, of rather slow motion, mea- 

 suring about three quarters of an inch in length, 

 exclusive of the tail, which is extensile, and consists 

 of a double tube, the exterior annulated into nu- 

 merous segments, and the interior slender, and ter- 

 minated by a circle of hairs, surrounding a spiraculum 

 or air-hole. This maggot is seen in muddy stagnant 

 water, drains and other places of the dirtiest descrip- 

 tion ; and notwithstanding its unpleasing appearance, 

 exhibits, when accurately examined, many particulars 

 well woithy of admiration: the feet in particular, 

 which are seven in number on each side, are wonder- 

 fully calculated for enabling the animal to ascend 

 walls or other perpendicular places, in order to seek 

 some proper situation in which it may undergo its 

 changes into chrysalis, being very broad, and beset, 

 on their under surface, with numerous small hooked 

 claws ; giving it the power of clinging with security 

 during its ascent. 



" Of this larva a particularity i.s stated, on the au- 

 thority of Linnaeus, which, if fine, may indeed well 

 2-3 



