xiv SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MORE IMPORTANT 



Family Dolichopodidcz. 

 First basal cell rather short, the second united with discal cell, 

 third small. Auxiliary vein running in the first longitudinal. Third 

 vein simple ; fourth often furcate. No intercalary vein. Em- 

 podium small, membranous. Antennae close together ; third joint 

 not annulated, with bristle at tip. 



Family Lonchopteridce. 

 Three basal cells of moderate size, nearly equal in length. Fourth 

 longitudinal vein furcate, and united with fifth near the base. First 

 two joints of antennae small, testaceous ; third rounded, with a slender 

 apical bristle. Empodium wanting. 



Family Platypezidce. 

 Three basal cells rather large, the hindermost always ending 

 acutely at more or less distance from the border of the wing. Third 

 longitudinal vein simple. No intercalary vein. Antennas with 

 apical bristle. Empodium wanting. 



Family Pipit7icuHdce. 

 Three basal cells much prolonged, the hindermost closed near the 

 border of the wing. Fourth vein may be absent, furcate when 

 present. No intercalary vein. Eyes large, not quite contiguous in 

 $. Antenna; short, with a basal bristle. Legs with few short 

 spines. Empodium wanting. 



Family Syrphida. 

 Three basal cells much prolonged. Third longitudinal vein 

 simple ; a spurious longitudinal vein between third and fourth ; 

 fourth united at its end to the third ; no intercalary veins. Antennce 

 close together; third joint various, generally compressed and with a 

 bristle on its back. Hypopygium unsymmetrical. No empodium 

 Head semicircular, as broad as thorax. 



Family Conopidie. 

 Three basal cells, large, third closed, more or less remote from the 

 posterior border. All the longitudinal veins simple; no intercalary vein. 

 Head large, always broader than thorax. Antenna long ; third joint 

 clubbed and ending in a bristle. Hypopygium symmetrical. Em- 

 podium wanting. Proboscis generally prolonged. Eyes not con- 

 tiguous. 



Family CEstrida. 



Antennre inserted in round pits. Oral organs rudimentary. 

 Tegula large. Antenna; short ; third joint with a terminal bristle. 

 Very hairy flies, resembling bees. 



