99 



this continent by emmigrant», either in the form of 

 eggs or larvae. 



The Ichneumon Fly is a very curious specimen, hav- 

 ing very long legs, and also an exceedingly long ovi- 

 positor, with vv^hich it lays its eggs in deep, round holes 

 in the ground which are made by another insect as is 

 the case among bees,— the carpenter bee bores the hole 

 and others live in it. There are large flies which lay 

 their eggs upon or in meat and other substances, also a 

 species which lays in incisions on the backs of cattle 

 and when the eggs hatch the young feed on the flesh 

 of the poor animal and causes great pain and some- 

 times death. The horsefly is a large and cruel species 

 which are a constant source of suffering to these noble 

 beasts during the summer and early fall. The largest 

 of these is green and has a woolly hoAy. 



The mosquito might be considered as a fly. Scarcely 

 any description need be given for it is well known by 

 its stinging propensities if for no other reason, the 

 weapon with which it sucks blood when magnified is 

 shown to be a small lance protected on either side by a 

 shield which closes when not in use. The flight of 

 this insect is always accompanied with a ringing or 

 singing sound which is a warning of its approach. 



SPIDERS. 



Doubtless this class of insects attract more general 

 notice and study than most others. Their bodies are 

 woolly or hairy; their legs long, and most of them 

 make webs, some of which are beautiful. Our common 

 little brown and black spiders do not exhibit any extra 



