THE MASON FIY.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 231, 14 February 1885, Page 8

THE MASON FIY.

(WUTTTKN FOR THE OBSERVER.)

This fly is one of those insects whose peculiar eccentricities excite the wonder and admiration of the casual observer, and cause even the experienced naturalist to pause and ponder on the strange paradoxes and wonderful anomalies that meet him at every turn in his wide field of research. Its habits of life completely reverse the usual existing relations with the spider family, as far as flies are concerned ; for though the spider may batten upon every other species of fly with impunity, he falls an easy victim to the mason fly without the aid of webs or snares of any kind, and serves in turn to provide food for the very class of insects that he has always been led to regard in the same light as uncle Toby's dog did the hares. Its method of bringing forth its young is unique : It deposits its eggs in a series of small cells constructed of clay, into each of which is thrust a spider, in a comatose condition, from the effects of the virus injected from the sting of the fly when captured. Upon the immured spider the larvae of the fly subsists till it is sufficiently developed to force its way through its primitive abode, whence it bursts forth upon the outer world some fine morning a strong, but not particularly handsome, winged free lance, and, humming to itself " The little ole mud cabin down the lane," it sails in quest of those quiet nooks and corners, whereof Bridget knoweth, where spiders most do congregate. A Mend of mine, with a literary turn, holding at present the distinguished office of "slab-bearer" at one of our provincial sawmills, has coustructed the lines on the subject just referred to, _ which he places at yonr disposal for the edification of your numerous readers : —