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prominent snout or beak, the eig'hth of an inch long;, 
in miniature like the bill of a plover or peswet ; 
and two antennae or horns, better than twice the 
length of its beak. Its wings are transpai-ent, 
clearly exhibiting the vai-ious membranes j both 
paii's of wings are irregularly maculated with 
twelve different sized and shaped black spots, some 
of which, towards the apex or upper ends are 
scarcely perceptible by the naked eye. The four 
wings are equal in shape and size. The lower part 
of each is obtuse ; the breadth gradually diminishes 
to a point, where it is inserted to the body, similar 
in shape to the wings of the House-Fly, but twice 
the length ; the membranes are somewhat stronger 
and more numerous. The head similar in shape, 
not more than half the size, and the body little 
more than half the thickness of the House-Fly, but 
nearly twice its length ; its body is mostly covered 
with the wings, but a little divided at the obtuse or 
lower ends. 
The general habits of the insect in the per- 
fect state, are obscure, shy, and harmless. The 
food is procured from the nutrimental parts of the 
blossom or juices of the foliage. It is so trifling, 
that no marks of depredations can be traced by 
the most minute observers. These insects are 
rarely to be met with by the careless, as they gene- 
rally confine themselves to reside in bushes, which 
are well furnished with salubrious leaves ; they are 
very shy, and active in escaping from thicket to 
