VOLUCELLA. INSECTS. EuLEX lUUlTAXS. 275 
Saunders, Esq., in the Transactions of the Entomolo- 
the first time in places which the fly frequents, and 
gical Society. The species figured is named Phytalmia 
which are attacked by it, sometimes become un- 
cervicornis, in allusion to the remarkable horn-like 
manageable. The only way of removing the pest is 
processes with which the head is furnished ; the male 
by picking it off, so firmly do they fix themselves. 
only has these ornaments, as will be seen on reference 
clinging with their hook-like claws with unflinching 
to the cuts. 
tenacity; their bite, or rather the operation of piercing 
Several of the genera of this group are parasites, 
the skin and sucking the blood, evidently being attended 
whose province in the economy of nature appears to be 
with a considerable amount of pain. When these 
to check the superabundance of species of other orders ; 
flies are placed on the ground after being caught, they 
the species of the genus Tachinus are parasitic upon 
run with considerable speed sideways like a crab, to 
various species of beetles. Carabi, Longicornes, &c., 
which in reality they bear a considerable degree of 
are attacked by them in the larva state ; Lepidoptera, 
resemblance ; the crab only wants wings to make the 
particularly the larger moths, such as the Death’s head. 
similarity almost complete. The Forest-fly is abundant 
are attacked by them; even the Hemiptera, the bugs, 
in Hampshire. The same species also attacks the ass. 
do not escape.' The various species of the genus Vol- 
and not uncommonly even oxen. The writer once 
lucella live in the nests of bees and wasps, feeding upon 
saw a horse attacked by at least one hundred flies, all 
the larvae of those insects. Vollucella bombylans is 
having settled and fastened on his flanks; the poo. 
figured in Plate 11, fig. 5; this species infests the nests 
creature was no doubt “ to the manner born,” as it 
of Humble bees. A few are known to live in the 
stood as if quite accustomed to them, and only acknow- 
bodies of insects in their perfect condition; the species 
ledged their presence by a constant shivering attempt 
of the genus Conops, at least some of them, undergo 
to drive them off. 
their changes in the bodies of Humble bees, emerging 
Species of other genera attack different animals; 
from the plates of the abdomen. For further informa- 
Lepoptera cervi attacks the stag ; Melophayus ovinus 
tion upon these interesting insects we must refer the 
the sheep. Several species are found upon species ot 
reader to the works of Fallen, Wiedemann, Meigen, 
bats. The species belonging to the genera Ornithomyia, 
Macquart, and Walker, who has described the British 
Stepepteryx, and Oxypterum, are parasitic upon various 
species in the “Insecta Britannica” in three volumes. 
birds. The Stenopteryx Hirunclinis is common in the 
We must not pass over without notice another sec- 
nests of the sand-marten. 
tion of the order Diptera, a small group of parasitic 
Another minute insect of this division must be noticed. 
insects forming the genus Hijypobosca ; one of the 
it having been taken in this country ; it is a species 
best known is the H. equina, commonly known in 
long well known on the continent, a parasite on the 
some parts of the country as the Forest-fly. These 
Hive bee {Braula cceca). It is a minute insect closely 
insects have the head distinct, but partially immersed 
resembling the fly of the sand marten, but it has neither 
in the anterior portion of the thorax; the legs are short. 
eyes or ocelli ; it is figured in Ahrens’ “Fauna,” and pre- 
stout, and bristly ; the claws are dentate and curved; 
viously by Kdaumur in his fifth volume, Plate 38. This 
the rostrum is a complex structure furnished with 
curious parasite was discovered a few months back in a 
sharp lancet-shaped organs adapted to piercing the skin 
hive of the Ligurian bee by Mr. Woodbury of Exeter. 
of the animal upon which they are parasitic. These 
The specimen might have been imported along with the 
insects belong to a section called Pupiparn ; they have 
stock, but the species will probably be permanently in- 
been regarded as forming a distinct order by some 
troduced into this country. 
authors ; they are the Homaloptera of Leach. The 
Genus Nycteribia. — Only two British species arc 
body of these insects is flat, short, and coriaceous ; the 
known, and the number of exotic ones are few. These 
wings are large, but in some species they are wanting. 
insects have no wings; the legs are long and terminated 
The eggs of the Hippoboscidce are hatched in the 
with strong hooked claws fitted for clinging. They 
body of the parent, the larva nourished and changed 
are found on the bodies of various species of bats. 
into a pupa in the same situation; in this state they are 
Examples of several genera of Diptera are figured on 
deposited by the parent fly; the change to the pupa 
Plate 11, in order to convey a better idea of the variety 
state takes place within the skin of the larva. The 
of form to be met with in this order. Fig. 1. Ceria 
H. equina attacks the horse, and in those parts of the 
conopsoides ; 2. Echinomyia fera ; 3. Bibio pomonce ; 
country where they abound are exceedingly annoying. 
4 PEenops marginatus ; 6. Ceroplatuo tipuloides ; 8. 
even in many cases dangerous; horses travelling for 
Anthrax morio ; 10. Phada hemiptera. 
Sun-OKDER — APHANIPTEEA. 
This order contains the different species of fleas, form- 
with they pierce the skin of their victim. The mandi- 
ng the family Pulicidce.. These insects are too well 
hies are represented by two elongate setae, the edges of 
known, yet few, except entomologists, would suppose 
which are sernated ; the tongue or sucker is of the same 
that they have a close relationship to, if they do not 
length, but more slender. These setae when united, and 
in fact constitute, an apterous section of the Diptera. 
inclosing the sucker between them, form the piercing 
The organs of the mouth in a magnified representation 
lancet-like instrument with which the insect punctures 
of the parts, shows us the formidable apparatus where- 
the skin, which being effected and causing a momentary 
