124 THE NATUEALIST IN BEEMUDA. 



whose acquaintance is but too familiar to me. The former 

 is magnificently plumed, and not quite so large an insect 

 as the common species ; besides which, the larvae are totally 

 different ; the one being a small blood-coloured worm, and 

 the other the restless wig-wag so often seen in our tumblers. 



" The larger mosquito, which is found in swarms — dis- 

 tract swarms, I mean — iu the marshes, is certaialy different 

 from the two species I have mentioned, being of a larger 

 size, with the body much distended with something very 

 like mud ; for ia killing one on the person it leaves a 

 muddy spot. A swarm of these mosquitos may be seen and 

 heard at some distance as they dance up and down over the 

 low cedars." 



Three species of Muscidce have been noticed by Mr. 

 Hurdis: — ^A house-fly, very common and troublesome ia 

 some seasons, which is closely allied to (if, indeed, it be not 

 identical with) M. domestica of Europe ; a grey coloured fly, 

 which produces its larvae alive ; and the common black one, 

 which lays eggs. The two latter are both blow-flies, though 

 by no means abundant. A very beautiful blue-bottle fly is 

 also frequently met with ; as also a light yellow-coloured 

 species of cow-dung fly (Scatophaga), which frequents the 

 droppings of cattle, very similar in appearance to 8. mer- 

 daria of Britaiu. We also observed a species of Tabanus, 

 of rather rare occurrence. A green-headed gad-fly is not 

 uncommon ; Mr. Hurdis takes it to be Oastrus equi. 



APTEEA (Fleas, Sprinq-tails, Centipedes, etc.). 



The Common Flea, {Puhx irritani), is extremely abun- 

 dant in the spring-time of ■ the year, appearing as the 

 'Mudians say, "at the same time as the whales on the 



