262 OBSERVATIONS ON PIPUNCULIDiE. 



except the oak ; and many other departures from truth equally 

 absurd. 



As general rules, liable to but few exceptions, I would say, 

 a generic name should be of Greek derivation, and descriptive 

 of a character not possessed by neighbouring genera ; that a 

 specific name should be a Latin adjective decidedly descriptive 

 of character, not possessed by neighbouring species, or a pro- 

 per name derived from the Heathen Mythology, and conveying 

 no idea excepting in connexion with some fable, which may 

 perhaps serve to assist our memory; and that generic and 

 specific names should be very easily pronounced or read, and 

 should not exceed three syllables in length. 



Art. XXIII. — Observations on the British Species of 

 Pipunculidce. By Francis Walker, F. L. S. 



These insects were first noticed by Latreille, in his Hist. 

 Nat. Insect, and Gen. Crust, et Insect., where he placed 

 them at the end of the Syrphidce, followed by the Conopidce ; 

 remarking, however, that their situation is doubtful, and that 

 they have the external appearance of the Sargidce. Fallen 

 also placed them with the Syrphidce, and designated them by 

 the characteristic name Cephalops. Meigen first allowed 

 them the distinction of a family (Megacephali), which he 

 placed between thePlatypezidcea.nd the Dolichopidce. In the 

 first edition of the Regne Animal, Latreille observed that they 

 have some resemblance to the Stratiomydce, and especially to 

 Scenopinus, but that the third joint of their antennas is not 

 annulated. In the second edition of this work he has partly 

 followed Meigen's arrangement, by uniting Callomyia, Platy- 

 peza, Pipunculus, and Scenopinus into a family (Cephalop- 

 sides), placed between the Dolichopidce and the Tabanidce. 



Family. — Pipunculidce. • 



Musca . . . Bosc. 



Pipunculus. Latreille, Meigen, St. Faryeau and Serville, 



Holiday. 

 Microcera . Meigen. 

 Cephalops . Fallen. 



