15^ Characters of the European Diptera^ 



1. Have only once or twice been taken, as solitary speci- 

 mens, in situations favourable to the idea of their importa- 

 tion. 



2. When known to belong to exclusively tropical genera 

 or species; occurring only on particular spots, and with 

 habits permitting their transportation from distant climates. 



We have extended the above remarks much beyond what 

 the nature of the subject may appear to deserve ; but the 

 study of animal geography, if we may so term it, involves so 

 many curious and important considerations, which must be 

 reasoned upon ere they can be understood, that any attempt 

 to elicit truth may, we hope, plead in extenuation for our 

 want of brevity. 



Clifton, Aug, 21. 1831. W. A. B. 



Art. IX. The Characters of the European Diptera, from Mei- 

 gens " Systematische Beschreidung," Translated by George 

 Wailes, Esq. 



Sir, 

 After the high encomiums bestowed upon Meigen's 

 Systematische Beschreibung der behannten Europa'ischen Zwei- 

 flugeligen Inseckten, or Systematic Description of the known 

 Dipterous Insects of Europe, in the Zoological Journal, and the 

 anticipation therein expressed, that, with the assistance afforded 

 by that work, the Diptera will form a favourite study of the 

 British entomologist, your inserting the synopsis of the 

 family and generic characters prefixed to the above publica- 

 tion, in an English dress, will, I trust, prove acceptable to the 

 young entomologists of this country, and tend to call their 

 attention to that interesting but hitherto neglected order of 

 insects. I am. Sir, yours, &c. 



George Wailes. 

 Newcastle on Tj^ne, June, 1829. 



DFPTERA. 



Wings 2. Halteres 2, placed behind the wings. 



Division I. Probosci'de^. 



Proboscis terminating in a fleshy hbium, and with the haustellum covered 

 by a homy lahrum ; in front of the same are 2 articulated palpi. 



