482 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS . 
Subfamily SARCOPHAGUS (Sar-coph-a-gi'nae). 
The Flesh-flies . 
These flies resemble those of the preceding subfamily in 
general appearance, but differ in having the bristle of the 
antenna plumose or hairy at the base; the outer end of the 
bristle is bare. They are called flesh-flies because many of 
them lay their eggs on the bodies of dead animals, resem¬ 
bling in habits the Blow-fly, which belongs to the sub¬ 
family Muscinae. The larvae of other species live in dung, 
in decaying vegetable matter, and in fruits. 
Subfamily DEXUNiE (Dex-i-i'nae). 
The Nimble-flies. 
In this subfamily the bristle of the antenna is plumose 
or bristly to the tip, and the dorsum of the abdomen is 
bristly. The legs are usually long. These flies are much 
less common than the members of the allied subfamilies; the 
larvae of some of the species, at least, are parasitic. 
Subfamily MUSCINAS (Mus-ci'nae). 
The Typical Muscids (Mies'cids). 
With these flics, as in the preceding subfamily, the bris¬ 
tle of the antenna is pubescent or plumose to the tip; but 
the abdomen is not bristly except near the tip. Here be¬ 
long many of the best-known members of the Muscidae; 
among the more important ones are the following:— 
The House-fly, Musca domestica (Mus'ca do-mes'ti-ca).— 
This is the most familiar representative of the order Diptera, 
as it abounds in our dwellings. It lays its eggs in horse- 
manure, a single female laying from one hundred and twenty 
to one hundred and sixty eggs; the larvae become full- 
grown in from five to seven days, having molted twice ; the 
pupa state lasts from five to seven days. 
The Stable-fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Sto-mox'ys cal'ci- 
trans).—This species resemble the House-fly in appearance; 
