314 DIPTERA. 
Lucy, When the fly is come out, on 
what does it prey ? 
Mother, The habits of the perfect 
insect are less known than those of the 
larva : by some it is supposed to be car- 
nivorous ; others think that it subsists on 
the honey of flowers ; and one naturalist 
asserts, that it can live without any food 
for nine months. 
Lucy, You said, mamma, that the 
skin of the larva was granulated ; what 
is that ? 
Mother. Granulated, strictly speak- 
ing, is to consist of grains ; but, applied 
to the texture of a skin, it means a rough 
appearance, like that of shagreen. The 
little protuberances of the larva, when 
highly magnified, resemble limpet shells, 
as you may see in this drawing*. 
* Plate XXII. 
