212 [September, 



Tlie theory put forward on this subject results from the erroneous interpretation 

 of some eases which would never have been considered as furnishing proof of an 

 ajsthetic sense if trouble had been taken to observe that insects execute the same 

 pretended admirational acts before numerous objects not resembling flowers either 

 iu form or coloration. 



LOPHOSIA F.iSClATA, Mg. : A NEW BRITISH DIPTERON. 

 BT p. C. ADAMS, P.Z.S. 



1 have recently taken in my garden three fine specimens of 

 Lopliosia fasc'iata^ Mg., which fly I believe has not been {)reviously 

 recorded as British. They were obtained on July 22nd and 24tli and 

 August 1st respectively. 



Fern Cottage, Lyndhurst : 



August 17th, 1901. 



TACHINID.E COLLECTED IN 1900. 

 UY COLBRAN J. WAINWRIGHT, F. E. S. 



So little is known about the species of Tachinidce occurring iu 

 this country that a list of those obtained by me last year is probably 

 worth publishing. 



I use the term Taclunidti' for want of a better ; the old family 

 Tachinidce, of Schiner, Verrall's list, &c., cannot now be regarded as 

 distinct from Dexidce and Sarcopliagidas, and probably not from Mus- 

 cidcE (sens strict.). Prof. Brauer, whose writings on this group are the 

 most important we possess at present, merges all four families, and 

 describes theai as " Muscaria Scltizometopa (cxcluaive Anflioiiii/idce)." 

 The Anthomyidw, whose close relationship is indicated in this term 

 are sufficiently distinct to be left outside, and the Muscidce, in the old 

 sense, also form a fairly definitely homogeneous section; the Tacliinidce, 

 Dexidce, and Sarcophagidce, however, cannot be separated, and it is the 

 insects comprised in these three old families that 1 refer to under the 

 general term Tacliinidce. 



The generic nomenclature aud maiu lines of identification of the 

 species referred to, are entirely based upon Brauer's writings. 



Meiffenia Jloralis, Mg. — a generally distributed species, I obtained last year 

 at West Runton, Norfolk, and Selslcy and Chalford, Grloa. M. biiignata, Mg. — 

 specimens which stand for this species occurred at Cranham and Selsley, Glos. ; 

 until I have a much larger series I could not be sure that it is distinct iromjioralis, 

 especially as I have another specimen from Cranham, which means either another 

 species or proves the vai-iability of floral is. 



