27 
in neighbouring meadows. The maggots of Chrysops are stated 
also to live in earth. 
With regard to rather more detailed observation, especially 
regarding the nature of their food, it is stated by Prof. Comstock * 
that “ the larvae are carnivorous; many live in the earth; others 
live in water. They feed on various small animals; some upon 
snails, others upon the larvae of insects. In most cases they have 
a single pair of spiracles, which is situated at the hind end of the 
body ; some have a pair of spiracles at each end of the body.” As 
I have never had an opportunity of studying the conditions of the 
life in maggot state myself, I give the above quotations from known 
authorities. 
The pupa-case is not formed of the hardened skin of the maggot, 
as is the case with many kinds of dipterous flies ; but where known, 
appears somewhat to resemble that of the Tipula, or Daddy Long- 
legs. The figures at p. 25 are from specimens of larvae and pupae 
of Tabanus bovinus, from which the fly was developed, as noted. 
In the year 1895 thirteen species of Gad Flies were sent me for 
identification, of which I give at p. 25 the names of nine of the kinds 
most easily distinguishable without very minute technical description. 
Of these the great size and colouring of the kind popularly 
known as the Great Ox Gad Fly distinguish them perfectly from all 
the other species, excepting 
that separated from them by 
recent writers under the scien¬ 
tific name of Tabanus sudeticus 
of Zeller. But though the 
two kinds are distinguishable 
by experts, they are not at 
all so without types and 
full descriptions, inappropriate 
here; therefore, as the early 
name of Tabanus bovimis (of 
Linnaeus) includes both kinds 
scientifically, and the name of 
Great Ox Gad Fly does so for 
practical use, and also because 
even up to the present day the 
observations of De Geer of the 
life-history of this species con¬ 
tinue to be one chief source of information we possess of method of 
* ‘Manual for the Study of Insects,’ by John H. Comstock, Professor of 
Entomology in Cornell University, U.S.A., p. 454. 
Great Ox Gad Fly, with wings expanded ; 
also viewed sideways. 
