Page:How and Why Library 234.jpg

 PART III—INSECTS, ETC. I. MRS. MUSCA DOMESTICA CALLS

"Were you speaking of me? Here I am."

A very dignified little visitor, about a quarter of an inch long, drops "out of the nowhere" in the most surprising way! But she is very polite about ringing a little buzzing door bell to let you know she is coming. "Buzz-z-zip! I'm Mrs. Musca Domestica!"

What a name for such a little creature! One of the capital letters of it would almost cover her, and the length of it would make a nice distance for an evening stroll.

"It's just Latin for House Fly," she says. "Don't you think I deserve it? I come into the house whenever you leave the screen door open. I'm neighborly and don't wait to be invited. I'm very fond of human society. You have such nice things to eat. But you are not very friendly," she added reproachfully. "Actually, I've had the door shut in my face, and been 'shoo-ed' out like a hen."

"Well, you're not very clean, you know. You go to dirty places, and you don't wipe your feet."

"I would if I had a door-mat, I would, indeed. I wash my face and brush my clothes oftener than you do. Just watch me."

There she sits at a respectful distance, rubbing her little front hairy legs together vigorously. Then she balances herself on the other four, and rubs the hindlegs. When the middle pair are cleaned, she draws a leg across her mouth to wet it, and washes her face like a cat. Finally she flutters her silver gauze wings to shake the dust off. As a delicate hint she nibbles at a clean plate.

"Don't human people ask their visitors if they care for refreshments? Thank you! A grain of sugar is my favorite lunch. You may watch me eat, if you won't come too near." 201