220 [March, 



less than either of the two hindmost. Of those in front of the suture two are generally 

 large, with a small one between them, and there are often one or two other minute ones 

 nearer to the head (see fig. 1). 



Abdomen tessellated on the upper sur- 

 face with black, grey, and white patches, 

 which reflect the light differently when 

 viewed in different directions, but which, 

 when looked at from behind, appear to he 

 arranged in three black lines, and in four 

 rows of more or less confluent white spots. ^ 



First segment almost unarmed, second with 



two spinos placed near together in the middle of the posterior edge, and two or three others 

 on each side. Third segment also with two central spines, and four or five lateral ones on 

 each side, all attached to the edge of the segment. Fourth segment fringed with spines. 

 Both anal segments in <J more or less extruded, covered with hairs, and shining black, but 

 having a grey incision between them. Both thorax and abdomen in ? are armed as in the 

 S , but the spines and bristles are smaller, and sometimes obsolete. 



Wings : base and course of the veins more or less clouded vrith brown, costal spine 

 small or wanting, generally more distinct in 5 than in S . Fourth longitudinal vein armed 

 with nine or ten short spines or teeth, which extend along its base for nearly half the distance 

 from its point of junction with the third longitudinal, to the place where it meets with the 

 internal transverse vein. Fifth longitudinal vein bent at a sub-acute or right angle. Ex- 

 ternal transverse vein more or less sinuous. 



Lecfs : spines and hairs numerous. All the femora thickly ciliated on their under- 

 surfaces ; those of the posterior legs armed in addition with numerous strong spines. Tibia3 

 all furnished with several strong spines upon their outer sides, in addition to those at their 

 extremities ; they are very numerous upon the hinder legs. The inner surfaces of the pos- 

 terior tibise of the <J are bearded with long hairs along their lower two-thirds, and there is 

 also a short beard upon the hinder surfaces of the middle tibise, which becomes gradually 

 shorter from the distal and upwards. These hairs upon the middle pair of legs vary greatly 

 in length in different specimens, being generally lougest in the largest individuals. Those 

 in which the beard upon the middle tibia; is very long, have been considered specifically distinct 

 by Kondani, and constitute his species ccerulescens.* In small specimens the hairs and 

 spines are all smaller in proportion. In the ? the legs ai-e not ciliated, and are armed with 

 fewer spines than in the <J. 



This fly is common almost everywhere. It is described as being 

 viviparous, and its larvae are said to be deposited in either decaying 

 animal or vegetable substances. The pupae of this and other species 

 of Sarcophaga have often been found in the dung of animals, but this 

 does not prove that the larvae have lived upon it. Mr. Verrall for- 

 warded to me several specimens of a speciel^with a red abdominal 

 extremity (cruentata) which he had bred from pupae found in jjigeon's 

 dung. In this dung were also found the remains of dead pigeons, and 

 it is probable that they had been the food of the larvae. ' 



CTo be continnedj. 



* Rondani considers bis species to be identical witb the S. ccerulescem of Zetterstedt, but the 

 latter author aaye nothing about the beard upon the middle tibiae of the 6 .- K. U. M. 



