THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 33 



the apex of primaries acute, outer margin rounded, costa straight. 

 Abdomen without dorsal tufts. Thorax dark mouse gray, collar lighter at 

 the sides, no markings. Abdomen brownish gray.' Fore wings bluish 

 ash-gray sprinkled with dark mouse gray, forming nearly a solid area on 

 the lower half of the median space and less solidly on lower half of basal 

 space ; costa and fringe dark. Lines obsolete, indicated by the limits of 

 the darkened median space, appearmg pale by the remnants of the pale 

 filling of geminate lines. Terminal half of wing broadly of the pale bluish 

 ash ground colour, not discolorously paler, but lacking the dark shadings. 

 A double row of black venular dots, situated apparently between the 

 positions of the obsolete t.-a. and s.-t. lines. Between the pairs of these 

 dots the colour is faintly lighter, indicating whitish spots. Orbicular and 

 reniform irregularly outlined in black, filled with a slightly darker shade, 

 inconspicuous, moderate, well separated, upright ; claviform lost. The 

 colour on the lower half of the wing is a little darkened on the veins. 

 Hind wings pinkish brown, darkened and smoky on the outer half. 

 Below, the fore wings are pinkish along the costa, else smoky brown, a 

 diffuse discal spot and outer line of blackish. Hind wings all pinkish, 

 irrorate with darker, an outer row of venular spots. Expanse 38 mm. 

 Described from i specimen, S , Kaslo, B. C. 



THE ORDER DIPTERA. 



Diptera during the past century have gradually risen in public 

 estimation, especially among men of science. The superiority of their 

 organization has been recognized by systematists, and observers of living 

 specimens have noticed peculiarities in their behaviour which prove a 

 higher development of their faculties than of those of other orders. 



Diptera, more than all other insects, show a distinct love oi freedom, 

 while Hymenoptera, with all their perfections, betray drill. Owing to 

 their organization, Diptera have more control over their motions than any 

 other insects, in consequence of which there is a remarkable stamp of 

 individuality in their actions. They can suddenly arr'est their flight, and 

 poise in the air ; they can not only swarm, but dance in cadence, or 

 gambol in the air in the most extraordinary manner. It is principally the 

 males who dance, play and frolic together ; during courtship they perform 

 most ludicrous antics. Schiller said : " The animal, the child, as well as 

 man, play ] the sense of strength and the higher sense of freedom derived 

 from strength give rise to the joy of playing." — Osten Sacken. 



