70 [August, 



and New Zealand, I huppeiied to discover that the European genus Carposina, 

 H-S., usually placed amongst the Gelechidce, is truly referable to this same group. 

 That it does not belong to the GelechidcB is sufficiently proved by the separation of 

 veins 7 and 8 of the fore-wings, which in the Crelechida and (Ecophoridce are invari- 

 ably stalked ; the long straight porrected palpi and peculiar venation of the hind- 

 wings also remove it from those families. 



The group of the Conchylidod in question is represented in Australia and New 

 Zealand by the genera Paramoypha, Jleterocrossa, Bondia, Oistophora, and Coscin- 

 optyrha. All these agree in the following characters, viz. : — the fore-wings have 12 

 separate veins ; the hind-wings have only 6 veins, of which 3 and 4 rise from a point 

 or short stalk, 5 from upper angle of cell, 6 free ; the fore-wings are unusually 

 elongate and narrow, always with tufts of raised scales ; the hind-wings are un- 

 usually pointed, and the cilia often long. Carposina exactly accords with these 

 characters, except that veins 3 and 1 of the hind-wings appear to be separate, which 

 is, indeed, the only point of generic separation from the genera mentioned. The long 

 porrected palpi (differing somewhat in the sexes, as also in others of the genera) and 

 the rather peculiar costal strigulse ai-e additional points of resemblance, which make 

 the relationship unmistakeable. In superficial colouring and marking the species 

 very closely resemble Paramotyha and Heterocrossa. 



The species of this group are so curious, and at first sight so little suggestive of 

 the usually broad-winged Tortricina, that it may be necessary to explain that there 

 is another Australian group, represented by the genera Heliocosma and Hyperxena, 

 which affords a clear transition to the ordinary type of the ConchylidcB. 



The relationship of Carposina to the Australian fauna is so interesting that I 

 thought it worth while to point out the mistake made in its location.— E. Meykick, 

 Christchurch, New Zealand : April 20th, 1882. 



On some Hymenoptera of the sandy districts of Hungary. — In the description 

 of the insect-fauna of the spring I mentioned that the air was but little aninuited, 

 but now (summer) the case is altered. Euzzings, chirpings, creakings — the mingled 

 hum of the swarms of insects all around — are fit to put an entomologist, especially 

 a Hymenopterist, into a state of ecstasy. He should have a hundred hands not to 

 miss anything of value. The heat is indeed excessive, on the colder spots 40° Eeauni., 

 or more ; the sand burns the hand laid on it to such a degree that it is involuntarily 

 withdrawn ; there is no shade, not the smallest cloud on the deep blue sky, and yet the 

 condition is not intolerable. On the contrary, one breathes free and easy, for al- 

 though the air is very hot it is very dry ; the pores of the skin are fully active, and 

 by the rapid evaporation of perspiration the skin is always cool ; and I can truly 

 say that to me the excursion to these steppes did not differ from a stay at a bathing 

 place, for I left the place, after six or eight weeks, mentally and bodily invigorated 

 and refreshed. 



Scarcely have we put a foot on the sand when we arc surrounded by Benihex 

 olivacea, F. This grand white species of SphegidcB follows us everywhere in our 

 walks. It flies round us, its circuit becoming always smaller, and finally it settles 

 on our coat. Its tone is a monotonous plaint, just like that of Eristalis tenax. As 

 wo proceed onwards the Bemhex circles round us more and more, Hying about like 



