(32 [March, 



Surdift'ons, n. S|i. This small species was not uncommon in 

 August, 1906, on a large beech tree in 8toke Wood, much infested 

 with fungus ; the only conditions under which I have met with it. 



Parva, n. sp. A very distinct little shining black species, com- 

 mon in all the woods here in May and June ; I have also seen a single 

 specimen taken by Mr. Malloch in Scotland. The small hump on the 

 costa at the humeral cross vein is as good a means as any of dis- 

 tinguishing it from its allies. Tt is present in both se.xes, which shows 

 it to be of a different nature from that general swelling of the costa, 

 which is essentially a female character. 



Mallochi, u. sp. A fine insect, remarkable for its intense black- 

 ness. At present the only locality for it is a wood at Bonhill, where, 

 by sweeping in April and September among bilberry and rushes 

 alongside a ditch, Mr. Malloch has taken five specimens, of which he 

 has very kindly given me a pair. One noticeable feature about the 

 insect is the great proportional length of the 1st costal division, un- 

 usual in an insect of this size, but not uncommon among the small 

 species in Section ]), and also present, as we have seen, in rudis and 

 affinis. 



Glabrifi'ons^ n. sp. Taken sparingly in most of the woods here 

 in April and May (probably after hibernation), and more commonly 

 in autumn. I have also seen a few examples from Bonhill. From 

 minor, Ztt. (jiitidifrons, Stobl.), it differs in the much shorter frons, 

 the position (normal) of the frontal bristles, the longer costa, black 

 halteres, and practically bare hind tibiae. For its general identifica- 

 tion I always catch myself referring to the unusually long stalk of 

 the 1st thin vein which runs backwards for some distance towards the 

 base of the wing nearly parallel to the thick vein. It is, however, a 

 character that serves only in the case of the male. 



Propinqua, n. sp. Taken at various places in my home district, 

 and at Tram Inn, in May and June, and again in the autumn more 

 commonly. A small glossy species like parva, but readily distinguished 

 from it by the characters in the table. 



Minor, Ztt. Very rare; a pair only — (^, Shobdon Marsh, 

 18/7/OG, ? , Middle Park Pool, 1/9/06. Whether, however, they are 

 really a pair, and not rather distinct species, maybe open to question. 

 The remarkable form of the frons and the arrangement of its bristles, 

 which separate tliem at once from the rest of the group, are alike in 



