19G I February, 



"Wellington ; from Mr. Wakefield. 



Belongs to the same group as B. anchonoderum and rotundicolle ; 

 but distinguished by its pale testaceous elytra, with a large angular 

 fuscous spot a little behind the middle. This spot forms a triangle on 

 each elytron, with the external angle extending to the sides of the 

 elytra ; behind, it is a little prolonged on the suture. The head has 

 deep, broad, and simple frontal foveas. The antennae are pale at the base, 

 becoming gradually dusky towards the tip. The thorax (impunctate, 

 like the head) is cordate, but with very rounded sides, narrowed behind, 

 first gradually, and at the base, more suddenly ; the hind angles are 

 closely applied to the trunk, and rather obtuse. The elytra are much 

 rounded at the shoulders ; the punctate striae are deeper near the apex 

 than near the base ; the exterior striae are, however, somewhat faintly 

 impressed towards the apex. The legs are j^ale yellowish, with the 

 joints of the tarsi tipped with dusky. 



Pteeosticiius lobipes. The length of this species is erroneously given 

 on p. 191, as only 2j lin. ; it should be 12i lin. 



Bartholomew Eoad, Kentish Town, N. W. : 

 1st December, 1877. 



ON THE ECONOMY, &c., OF BOMBYLIUS. 

 BY T. ALGERNON CHAPMAN, M.D. 



The few items in the history of these flies that I have accidentally 

 observed may be of use to others who propose, with more determination, 

 to thoroughly work it out. I watched the oviposition of a small 

 brown species, a number of years ago, when observing the habits of 

 Odynei'us spinipes. A portion of the same hot, sunny bank where 

 spinipes had a colony was frequented by this species, which would 

 approach tolerably close to me when I refrained from moving ; the 

 process of oviposition was conducted against the bank of earth in a 

 manner closely similar to that adopted by dragon-flies on the surface 

 of water ; the fly (not, of course, a pair, as with dragon-flies) would 

 approach the bank within an inch or so, and carefully examine it, and, 

 if satisfied, would make a little sudden swoop, bringing the extremity 

 of the body close to the bank, by passing from a horizontal to a 

 sloping attitude, yet not touching it, the small white egg being seen 

 to be thrown with a short jerk against the bank. On several occasions 

 I noticed very closely the spot, but always failed to find the egg, 

 which was not, however, surprising in the rough and cracked earth. 

 I over and over again, however, satisfied myself that it was not thrown 

 into the burrow of any bee, though Ualictus and others were numerous 

 in the same bank. 



