The wings of a fly have a fine, thin, clear covering. This is held out on a tiny frame, like a net-work. The fly moves these wings very quickly. The motion of the wings helps to make the sound or buzz of the fly.
Now we come to the legs and feet of our fly. The leg is made in five joints. The foot also has five joints. The last joint of the foot has two claws and a little pad. These are covered with fine hairs.
The hairs catch on little points or rough edges. Thus the fly can walk, as you would say, “upside down,” and does not fall. Besides, the pad and hairs act like a sucker. They suck air from under the foot. So they hold the fly from falling as he runs up a pane of glass. All boys know what a “sucker” is and how to make one.
LESSON XVIII.
MRS. FLY AND HER FOES.
A Tavern by the Way.
I suppose you have heard your mother wish there were not so many flies. The fact is, flies make us much trouble. Their noise tires and vexes people. They lay eggs in and on the food, and so spoil it. They cover our clean walls and glass with small black spots.
Will you wonder that there are so many flies when I tell you that one fly can in one season be the mother of two million others!
Many insects die soon after laying eggs. Bees and wasps do not, nor do flies. Bees and wasps take care of their eggs and their young, but the fly mother does not.