LEPTlD^v 41 



tains a number of species of wide distrilmtion, s]>ecimens of 

 wliicli are frequently found about the windows of dwelling 

 houses. The genus Olbiogaster has recently been described 

 from Mexico, '' It differs from lilu/jtJiKs in the structure of the 

 head (eyes separated by a broad front in both sexes, and 

 occiput but very little develo})ed). of the antenna?, (scapus 

 short, llagellum of male filiform, etc.), of the thorax and abdo- 

 men, as also in the venation.'' (Osteu Sacken.) 



.The larvte of ii'A///y/(' /^s are worm-like, legless, naked, more 

 or less transparent, with snake-like movements ; there are two 

 short fleshy points at the posterior end. The pupai are free, 

 inactive, with two jirojections anteriorly; they live in water, 

 brooks, pools, or puddles, or in rotting wood, hollow trees, or 

 manure. 



i;i LEl^TID/E. 



S])ecies of moderate or large size, more or less elongated, 

 usually thinly pilose or nearly bare, without distinct bristles. 

 Males holoptic or dichoptic. Empodia developed })ulvilliform, 

 the pulvilli present. Tegulse small or rudimentary. Third 

 joint of the antennte com})lex or simple, with or without a 

 terminal or dorsal arista or terminal style. Veins of the wings 

 distiiu't, not crowded anteinorily ; third longitudinal vein fur- 

 cate ; basal cells large ; five posterior cells usually jiresent. 



As defined above, this family includes the Xylopliagidfe, 

 Leptidte and Coenomyidge of authors. It may be a question 

 wlu^her this union is justifiable, but, on the whole, it seems 

 that the sole character which can be used to distinguish the 

 families — the structure of the third antennal joint — divides 

 the group uuuaturall3% throwing witli the Xylophagidffi forms 

 whose affinities are greatest with the Lcptida', notwithstand- 

 ing the antenmil character. 



The XylophagincB include less than one hundred known 

 I'orms, ami many of them are remarkable for their general 



