FLIES. 141 



(hair-horn Winter crane-fly). When viewed with 

 the common magnifier it is easily identified by the 

 peculiar seventh longitudinal vein. This is short 

 and strongly bowed or incurved toward the lower 

 edge of the wing, and is a mark, say the entomol- 

 ogists, unlike those of other species in the genus ! 

 The borders of the transparent wings are fringed 

 with the finest hairs, and most curious of all, 

 their full, compound eyes are covered with a 

 downy substance, like that seen on certain leaves 

 and stems. Pubescent eyes ! What is the pur- 

 pose of Nature in thus enveloping the visual 

 organs with such strange pilose bandages .■' 



The larvae of these flies live in heaps of decay- 

 ing vegetation, and in favorable conditions, burst 

 through their masks to sport in their odd, see-saw 

 fashion above their tombs. How wonderful that 

 such tiny fragile bits of life can survive the rigors 

 of our Northern Winters, for, as Mr. Fitch says, 

 "Even when the temperature is below the freez- 

 ing point, and the cold so severe as to confine 

 every other insect within its covert, it may be met 

 with, abroad on the wing." 



