38 STUDIES IN AMERICAN EPHYDRIDAE (dIPTERA) 
Xotes and Variations. — The Cuban and Colombian specimens 
have the mesonotum more distinctly vittate than is usual, but I 
have seen no specimens in which these vittae were fully developed. 
As will be noted from the above list, this species is neotropical 
in its distribution, and, judging from the number of specimens 
and localities mentioned, it is also a very common species within 
its range. The species seems to be limited to the northern part 
of the region, i. e., north of the ecpiator. Towards Brazil and 
Paraguay it is probably represented by punctifera. 
The specimens collected at El Alto, Costa Rica, on Melastoma 
tree flowers were probably collected over swamp. Dr. Calvert 
did some collecting at El Alto over swamp, and it is not unlikely 
that there was some mistake made in labelling either the catch or 
the specimens. Such is the natural inference from the habitat 
of the species. 
This species has also been reported from Porto Rico (Roeder, 
in Stett. Ent. Zeit., 349, 1885). 
Synonymy. — The synonymy of Notiphila varia Jones is certain, 
as I have carefully examined the cotypes of that species which 
are before me. The dark coloration occurring on the thorax, 
which is so minutely described by that author, is simply a stain 
caused by the moisture from the mounting medium; the speci- 
mens being glued on cardboard points. 
The synonymy of N. difficilis Wied [South America] is a sur- 
mise. It is suggested by the entire yellowish color, and the 
abdomen having two series of spots; but the size given is small. 
Although Wiedemann does not specifically mention the color of 
the antennae it is assumed to be yellow, being covered by the 
general term yellow. Should the synonymy be proved beyond 
a doubt, Wiedemann’s name, of course, has priority. 
Xotiphila facialis new species 
This species in its typical form is unique and easily distin- 
guished by the conspicuous median brown stripe on the face. 
But I have seen slight variations which suggest a possible inter- 
gradation with erythrocera. By this species we pass nicely into 
the next group through the vittate species virgata. 
Description. — Black. Antennae, palpi, halteres, joints of fore legs, apices 
of femora, tibiae except preapical ring, and middle and hind tarsi, yellow; 
tarsal fascicle black. Wings hyaline. 
