extent, that the Genera of that illustrious man now form (as in 

 the present instance) natural families composed of groups which 

 modern authors have found it necessary and convenient to con- 

 stitute into Genera, thereby rendering the investigation, so far as 

 relates to species, much more easy and intelligible. 



Meigen describes 56 European Asilij about 11 of them are 

 British, amongst which are, A. crabroniformis L. ; Jhrcipatus L. ; 

 cestivus Schr. ; opaciis Glirth. ; germanicus L. ; albipes Meig. ; &c. 



The Asilus of the Eomans (Mr. W. S. MacLeay observes in 

 the Linnean Transactions) was the (Estrus of the Greeks and the 

 Hcematopota of the present system, a fly exceedingly annoying to 

 horses, whereas our Asili prey upon other insects, especially the 

 Diptera ; they prefer resting upon the ground, particularly in 

 sandy situations; and the larvse feed upon the roots of plants 

 under ground, where they change to pupse covered with spines. 



One of the most beautiful of our species is A. crabroniformis, 

 (figured by Donovan, v. 5. pi. 180.) which is not uncommon 

 about heaths and commons from June to September : the rarest 

 species at present known is A. germanicus (a male of which is 

 figured) : two specimens are preserved in the British Museum, 

 sent from Bristol by Mr. Millard. It has also been observed in 

 Devonshire. 



The plant given in the plate is Fumaria claviculata (Climbing 

 Fumitory) . 



