THE INSECT 'ORDERS.' 259 



to continue in permanent use, notwithstanding 

 the changes of nomenclature which modern ento- 

 mologists are continually introducing. This last- 

 named order was not a favourite one with mediaeval 

 entomologists, Moses Harris having been the first 

 among English naturalists to pay much attention 

 to it. Recent continental authors have, however, 

 devoted much study to its illustration; as Mac- 

 quart's fine monograph on the Diptera of the north 

 of Prance, and Meigen's six portly volumes on the 

 Diptera of Europe, are sufficient proof. The Gnat* 

 families, the Oulicidce, are of this order, and also the 

 genus Chironomus Flumosus, the singular thread- 

 like larva? of which are popularly known as Blood- 

 Avorms, and found in stagnant waters. The well- 

 known Daddy-long-legs and all his family, the 

 Tipulidce, are true Diptera, as are the Strationidce, 

 those metallic-bodied Flies of rich colours, which 

 have received their name from the Greek word 

 meaning a soldier, in allusion to the bright uniform 

 which they wear. The larvse of some, but not all, 

 of these are aquatic. The voracious JEmpidcc belong 

 to this order, and also the Gad-flies. 



14. The order Syrphidce contains about thirty 



* It is only the female Gnat that is a blood-sucker, the males 

 feeding on the nectar of flowers. 



