BLISTER FLY, OR MELOE. 125 
marginated ; head, thorax , and legs iron 
colour ; and the elytra black. 
The meloe is the next genus for our 
observation : it is divided into two fami- 
lies ; one of which has very short elytra, 
and no wings ; in the other, the elytra 
are shorter than the body, but form the 
covering of the wings. Of both families 
there are several species : the meloe 
vesicatorius, or blister Jiy is one of the 
most beautiful ; its colour is changeable, 
green, azure, and gold, predominating by 
turns ; it is nearly an inch in length ; flies 
in large swarms ; and emits so strong a 
smell as to be easily traced by those who 
want to catch it*. 
Lucy, But why should any one want 
to catch these pretty little creatures, ex- 
cept to examine them ? 
Mother, They are employed in medi- 
cine. An extract is made by infusing 
them in spirits of wine, which is some- 
tinges taken internally ; but they are 
* Plate IX. 
