660 
DIPTERA. 
settled, though remaining if comfortable and undisturbed. These two 
families exhibit the mode of reproduction characteristic of the group 
(Pupipara) to which they belong (p. 655), and although little is known 
of their habits and life-histories it is probable that, as is the case with 
all other blood-sucking Diptera, the adult stage is the only one which has 
any direct connexion with the host, while as indicated above the close¬ 
ness of this connexion varies considerably within the limits of the two 
families, and probably has influenced the reproductive processes to a 
considerable extent. After those groups, Siphonaptera and Pupipara, 
which pass a considerable portion of their adult lives on the host, we 
come to those Diptera which pay as a rule only flying visits to their 
victim, and take their leave after a short but hearty meal of blood. 
These belong to six families, and of these families five are particularly 
well represented in this country, the sixth ( Chironomidce ) being com¬ 
paratively unimportant. The family which by relationship and habits 
approaches most nearly to the Pupipara is the Muscidce ; as with the 
Hippoboscidce, which practically never bite man, the attacks of the Indian 
species of Muscidce are as a general rule confined to cattle, but this is by 
no means always the case, as in some districts and climatic conditions 
they (especially Stomoxys) will bite men viciously. Stomoxys is the com¬ 
monest of the Indian genera, the others being Lyperosia , Hcematobia, 
Philcematomyia and Bdellolarynx. All the four latter are found as larvae 
in dung, but Stomoxys breeds by preference in fermenting vegetable 
matter, especially in heaps of grass and fodder, and in the piles of 
“ seet ” near indigo-vats, the flies being often so abundant at the period 
of mahai as to be a serious nuisance. These Muscidce often remain for 
a considerable time on the cattle, but this is probably in part because 
they are so frequently interrupted in their feeding by the movements of 
the victim, and they will persevere in the attack until satisfied with 
blood. All the blood-sucking Muscidce have a strong superficial likeness 
to many other Muscidce which do not suck blood, such as the house-fly, 
and to others which are often found sucking blood from wounds but 
which cannot pierce the skin for themselves : this the five blood-sucking 
genera are of course able to do, but whereas in Stomoxys , Lyperosia, and 
Hcematobia we find a much modified and developed piercing proboscis, 
the mouth-parts (as also the venation) in one of the two new genera 
(Philcematomyia) differ much less conspicuously from those of the non¬ 
blood-sucking Muscidce , and the genus represents a connecting link 
between the two groups. Although not blood-suckers, the flies whose 
larvae live in wounds or sores may be here noted as also belonging at all 
events for the most part to the family Muscidce : the attacks of these 
maggots produce results often of a serious and revolting nature, and 
are technically known under the term ‘‘ Myiasis.” They attack both 
men and animals. 
To the family Tabanidce (PL LXIJ) belong a large number of species 
of the well-known Indian Horse-flies, Dans-flies, gad-flies, or “ Clegs. 
The Siphonaptera , Pupipara , and Muscidce comprise only insects whose 
