Sepsis is distinguished from Ortalis, to which Meigen con- 

 siders it nearly related, by the naked seta of the antenna, and 

 by the narrower and less ample wings ; the head is also larger 

 and globose, and the thorax and body more slender and elon- 

 gated. 



It is with pleasure that I lay before my readers the follow- 

 ing account of the species composing the genus Sepsis, which 

 has never been noticed by any English writer. 



A. Wings with a black spot near the apex. 



1. S. cynipsea Linn., Meig. — This is apparently our com- 

 monest species, and may be found the whole of July and later 

 in gardens, running over the leaves of plants. I have parti- 

 cularly observed it upon the scarlet beans. It sometimes 

 swarms about Willows ; and I once saw it in myriads in the 

 garden of Edward Browne, Esq. at Norwich. 



2. S. hilaris Meig. — 29th July, and 7th August in abundance 

 on umbelliferous flowers, and on the Burdock at the back of 

 the Isle of Wight. Mr. Haliday took a specimen at Bexley 

 with an additional nervure in each wing. 



3. S. nigripes ? Meig. 



4. S. punctum Fah. — Stigma Panz. 60. 21. — Mr. Haliday 

 took one specimen in July, in marshy ground near Belfast, 

 and another the beginning of September, at Moresby near 

 Whitehaven. 



B. Wings unspotted. 



5. S. cylindrica Fab., Meig. — nitidulia Fall. 7th August in 

 abundance on the leaves of the Burdock, with S. hilaris. 

 Shady places near Belfast. 



6. S. Leachi Meig. — In the British Museum, I believe. 



7. S. putris Linn. — From February to October on the sea- 

 shore, and in groves near Belfast; it is found also on old 

 bones and refuse from houses. Mr. Haliday has taken a 

 smaller one in company with this, which appears to be dif- 

 ferent. 



8. S. annulipes Meig., Curtis Brit. Ent. pi. 245. — For spe- 

 cimens of this pretty and distinct species I am indebted to 

 Mr. Haliday, who took two last June in marshy places at 

 Bexley, near North Cray, Kent; and in July, several in Corn- 

 fields near Belfast, Ireland. 



The plant is Trifoliuvi ochroleucum (Brimstone Trefoil), 

 communicated by Mr. G. Charlwood. 



