MUSCA CARNARIA. 325 
full growth, and then change to the 
chrysalis state, in which they remain for 
ten days, hefore the imago makes its ap- 
pearance. 
Lucy, This is the fly, I believe, 
mamma, that seems to be so much afraid 
of wasps. 
Mother, Very right; this fly is the 
most common of those species that spoil 
our meat : but the musca carnaria* is a 
still greater nuisance, as it also frequents 
the larder and other places where meat 
is exposed, and at once produces worms 
instead of eggs. 
Lucy. Worms ! It differs, then, in 
that respect, from all other insects. 
Mother, Several of the muscae pro- 
duce worms ready hatched ; they are 
therefore called viviparous, 
Lucy. What does viviparous mean ? 
Mother, It is derived from two Latin 
ivords, which signify to be born in a living 
state, and is used in contrast to oviparous^ 
* rVom Carnariuf7i, a butcher's shambles. 
