Magazine had previously established it as the genus Micro- 

 don, which has been adopted in both Meigen's works upon the 

 Diptera, and De Geer having long since given it the specific 

 name of Apiformis, following the principle upon which this 

 work has been hitherto conducted, the original names have 

 been restored. 



The genus Microdon, although decidedly distinct, is nearly 

 related to, and, according to Meigen, connects Ceria and Chry- 

 sotoxum. I have to regret my inability to speak with certainty 

 concerning the palpi, until recent specimens can be obtained; 

 for after a careful examination of two examples of this rare 

 insect, I could only discover the portion represented in the 

 plate at fig. 1 f, which I suspect to be some extraneous 

 substance, rendered still more probable by Meigen being si- 

 lent upon die subject, and his figure only exhibiting the la- 

 bium, tongue, and lip. 



Meigen enumerates 4 European species; but that figured is 

 the only one that has been found in our island, and which I 

 believe was unknown to us until Mr. D. Bydder discovered it 

 in the New Forest, where, however, it does not appear to be 

 very common. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Dale beat 

 one out of an oak in the beginning of June, near Lyndhurst, 

 Hants ; and he informs me that he has taken 3 off grass, and 

 the birch, on the borders of Dorsetshire. It is common in the 

 interior of France, upon heaths and in forests. It appears to 

 be a long-lived insect, by the mutilated state of the wings of 

 most specimens when taken, unless their shortness and strength 

 assist in their destruction, or it may be occasioned by the short 

 and frequent flights of the insect. 



Lamium purpureum (Red Archangel) is the plant figured. 



