lunch topic, no. 1

[fiefoe]

The anatomic structure of a fly prevents it from eating solid matter. Perched on a lump of sugar, the fly may, indeed, seem to be eating forthwith; but if watched closely it will be seen to be dissolving the sugar by depositing saliva on it. The sugary substance is then sucked up through the proboscis and is frequently regurgitated in a single drop, which is again sucked up. The fly may retire to a quiet spot to clean its head and proboscis, to digest and alternately to vomit and suck up its half-digested food. This may contain a variety of germs, and a second fly may not be too dainty to refuse what the first fly leaves of half-digested food on the spot.