Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-09-06
WAR ON THE ELY.
Study Of the FIy's Rather Complex
Anatomy.

wan YIN InE Rlys
Study Of the FIy's Rather Complies
Anatomy.
A short time ago the National Geograph-
ical society, with headquarters in WASH
ington, D. O., undertook the study Of the
fly, The household pest that has been the
worry OF thousands of housewives over
the entire world. SThe study was 20 in
teresting, the features Of the fly 90 pecu-
liar and dangerous, that it was gone into
thoroughly.
Warnings were sent broadcast over the
country Of the danger Of the common
house fly. Three thousand dollars was
spent by the society for . single enlarged
photograph of fly. This photograph
was about two ieet square, and showed all
the various parts Of the insect. It was
made with specially manufactured cam
era, and was the work Of many months.
Copies were made from the photograph
and used in the many city newspapers Of
the country a. warnings OF the danger of
the house fly.
But the above mentioned society is not
the only one that has interested itself in
the determination Of the fly. The de-
partment of agriculture in Washington
has also taken mp the matter. They have
issued warnings to housew ives, telling
them Of the fly's disease-spreading habits.
In this way there has been started sort
Of var on the insects, probably the most
dangerous pests we-hsve to contend with.
City authorities in many of the larger
cities have also made investigations, found
where the numerous dies were originated
in dumping grounds, and had these places
abolished. Children, Of course, are the
principal victims Of the hy. According to
reliable reckoning, flies will kill 5000 Of
the little ones in this country this sum-
mer. A great majority Of them will be de-
stroyed by what 10 known % ''summer
complaint, of which disease, by fouling
milk and other food supplies, the house
fly is almost the exclusive distributing
agent.
A study Of the house fy's rather COM
pick anatomy has shown that the insects
stomach which is very large, is located
near the tail end Of its body. Thus, when
it eats, one may see this part swell visibly.
But the organ in question might more
properly be termed crop, inasmuch Is it
10 merely reservoir to contain the
food for while until the animal is ready
to attend to the business Of digesting it.
Nearly the whole Of the rear segment Of
the fy's body, outside Of the crop, is oc-
cupied by an air cavity, 80 as to allow the
food storage reservoir to extend. The So
called ''brain" Of the insect is in the rear
portion Of the head, but it is not certain
that this is not merely an. optic lobe, hav-
ing to do only with visual perceptions,
and related directly to the large eyes. The
antennae are provided with curious
plumes, which may have something to do
with the sense of hearing, responding to
vibrations. 1t is we'll known that the fly
has no apparatus for biting.
Its proboscis terminates in very elabo-
rate organ which tastes and feels and
which incidentally serves the purpose of
q strainer, allowing only very small par
ticles to pass through. The whole affair,
together with the esophagus, is modified
for sucking. Nearly the whole front Of
the fy's head is occupied by two large
eyes, each of which is in reality several
thousand eyes in one. It is very won-
derful and elaborate visual continuance,
and in view of its size and completely,
one is at no loss to understand why the fly
is able to see SO well.
Many people have perhaps noticed that
the common house fly has voice. its
buzz is q different matter, being caused
by the rapid vibration Of the insects
wings. But il one watches fly on the
window pane one will sometimes hear it
! cry out in very fine note of high pitch
quite distinguishable from any other
sound. The same note will occasionally
be audible to sensitive ear when one fly
is chasing snoth about the room.
As for the buzz, the wing beats which
produce it vary in number with different
flies, but commonly run up to four hum
dred to second.
The house fly depends almost entirely
| for its existence and multiplication upon
| the horse. Stables are the principal
places Nof breeding for the insects, and
these should be carefully looked after.
| The fly can be described as very hungry
and very thirsty, for it is always after
| il deprived OF it will soon die OF thirst. It
will consume one-fourth OF its weight at a
single meal, or even ne-half of its weight
when hungry.