73 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



the body more with a view to economy of space, than 

 to display their elegance; and the wings are neces- 

 sarily crumpled and insignificant in appearance. As 

 mentioned in the previous letter (VII.), these members 

 are supplied internally with a great number of 

 tracheae, or air-tubes ; and one of the first operations 

 of the insect is to inflate these by a trembling motion, 

 and by the expansions and contractions of the ab- 

 domen : in thus dilating the tracheae, the insect gives 

 to the wings their necessary expansion and support. 



We have now followed the Fly from its first ap- 

 pearance upon a dunghill, until it enters the habita- 

 tions of man, and feeds at the tables of monarchs and 

 peasants. Of its habits in this, the last phase of its 

 history, we can teU. you but little that you do not 

 already know. Its brief existence presents but few 

 facts that are of interest to the naturalist ; for the Ply 

 neither constructs dwellings like the bee, nor does it 

 display any peculiar instinctive intelligence in its 

 natural operations. 



In its perfect form it appears to be as great an 

 epicure as it was a gourmand in its larval stage, and 

 indulges in aU the delicacies of our table whenever 

 they come within its reach. It delights to bask in 

 the sunshine, but at the first approach of winter re- 

 treats into the warm nooks and crannies of our dwell- 

 ings, and secretes itself in curtains and drapery ; and 

 when the cold sets in, its swarms vanish as rapidly as 

 they first made their appearance in spring. 



But even its brief and apparently gay and tranquil 



