iK-'i.] 23 



the position in whicli the wings are hekl, whether in the shape of a roof, 

 or lying fiat over tlie hack. The subject has not, liowever, received tlie 

 amount of attention from entomologists which it deserves. The fol- 

 lowing notes, regarding certain families of Nematocera, are not by any 

 means exhaustive, but will serve to draw attention to the interest of the 

 subject. It will be seen that genera, grouj^s of genera, subfamilies or 

 families can frequently be recognised by their resting positions, but, as 

 might be expected, there are some exceptions to most of the rules, and 

 even the same species may not always settle in the same position. 

 Copulat )ry attitudes are not noticed here, though some veiy interesting 

 notes could be collected regarding them. 



CeCIDOMYIIDAE, SC-VrOPSIDAE, AND SciARIDAE. 



In these families, so far as observed, the legs are always held 

 touching the surface, the body horizontal, the wings completely over- 

 lapping and lying Hat over the back. This may be regarded as the 

 normal position for the Nematocera. 



MrCETOPlIILIDAE. 



There is great diversity in this family in ivspect of the resting 

 positions, but some groups adopt very characteristic attitudes. 



Gerojjlattis and Plafifura rest with the wings overla])ping, Hat 

 over the back ; tlie hind legs, and frequently the middle ones also, raised 

 slightly from the surface, so that the insect is often hanging hy its front 

 claws only. 



Macrocera holds its wings flat, but divei'gent at an angle of about 

 45'^ on each side of the body ; all the legs touch the surface. DiadocidUo 

 behaves in a similar way. 



Boliiopliila, so far as I have noticed, keeps all its feet touching 

 the surface, and its wings overlapping. Curtis, however, states that 

 B. saundersi was found resting Avith its hind legs raised. 



Mijcomyia holds its wings mucli like Macrocera, but not quite Hat ; 

 all the legs touch the surface. Boletina (sometimes) and Acuemia 

 adopt a similar position. 



Sciojyhila (^Lasiosoma) and Moiioclona resemble 3Iycomijia, but 

 the wings are much less divaricate and sometimes partially overlap. 



Execltia, BJii/mosia, Allodia, Bracln/peza, and Cordijla all raise 

 their middle legs high above the body, the tarsi being curved towards 

 each other so that they almost meet. The wings completely overlaj), 



