588 A CHAPTER ON FLIES: 
draws its sting and flies sluggishly away. In a moment the 
wounded parts itch slightly, though a very robust person 
may not notice the irritation, or a more delicate individual 
if asleep; though if weakened by disease, or if stung in a 
highly vascular and sensitive part, such as the eyelid, the 
bites become really a serious matter. Multiply the mosqui- 
Fig. 2. toes a thousand fold, and one 
flees their attacks and avoids 
their haunts as he would a 
spring the larva (Fig. 2,4) of 
the mosquito may be found 
in pools and ditches. It re- 
mains at the bottom feeding 
upon decaying matter, thus acting as a scavenger, and in 
this state doing great benefit in clearing swamps of miasms, 
until it rises to the surface for air, which it inhales through å 
single respiratory tube (c) situated near the tail. When about 
to transform into the pupa state, it contracts and enlarges 
anteriorly near the middle, the larval skin is thrown off, and 
the insect appears in quite a different form (Fig. 2, B; for 
_which we are indebted to Mr. E. Burgess). The head and 
thorax are massed together, the rudiments of the mouth- 
parts and of the wings and legs being folded upon the breast, 
and there are two breathing tubes (d) situated upon the back 
instead of the tail, which ends in two broad paddles (4) ; 5° 
that it comes to the surface head foremost instead of tail 
first, a position according better with its increased age and 
experience in pond life. In a few days the pupa er” 
cast, the insect, availing itself of its old habiliments as @ 
upon which to float while its body is drying, grows lighters 
and its wings expand for its marriage flight. The agi 
are beautiful, bòth physically and morally, as they do pe 
bite; their manners are more retiring than those of wat 
stronger minded partners, as they rarely enter our i 
ings, and live unnoticed in the woods. They may be easly 

nest of hornets. Early in - 

ee es pe Sts ee 
Ces SAN an Ea ae) ite eal ee ee eR NE ep Mie ee See re to an it ae FE, 
Res ete se ee 

