456 
THE STUD y OF INSECTS. 
tion of the wings (Fig. 545). The branches of vein III are 
crowded together near the costal border of the wing; and 
the first cell V a is unusually short and broad ; the branches 
of Vein V and vein VII, are comparatively weak. 
These flies are found on flowers and leaves, especially in 
the vicinity of water and in bogs and marshes. The larvae 
live in water, earth or decaying wood. 
Some are carnivorous, others feed on 
tomyia. decaying vegetable matter. I hey 
have six or seven pairs of spiracles; the pupa state is passed 
within the skin of the larva (Fig. 546). 
Family LEPTlDiE (Lep'ti-dae). 
The Snipe-flies. 
These trim-appearing flies have rather long legs, a cone- 
shaped abdomen tapering towards the hind end (Fig. 547), 
and sometimes a downward-projecting proboscis, which 
with the form of the body and legs has sug¬ 
gested the name snipe-flies. Some members of 
the family, however, are remarkable for their re¬ 
semblance to certain Ichneumon-flies, the abdo¬ 
men being long and somewhat compressed. 
The body is naked or hairy, but it is not 
clothed with strong bristles. Frequently the 
hairy covering, though short, is very dense and is 
of strongly-contrasting colors. Three ocelli are thoracic*. 
present. The antennas vary greatly in form ; in some 
