602 SCENOPINID.E 



forms an apparent cross-vein obsolete on its middle in both wings. It is 

 easily distinguished from any other species in the male by the wide frons 

 and the dilated hind tibiae ; while the female may be known by its black 

 legs (except on the tarsi) and by the shining frons which bears a large 

 circular depression on its middle, as well as by its very nigrescent wings. 

 S. niger is not a common species in Britain as far as my experience goes. 

 My localities are only from Devonshire (Exeter), Hampshire (New Forest), 

 Surrey (Greenings), Herefordshire (Stretton Grandison), and Elgin (Forres), 

 but Mr Tuck has recorded it from Tostock in Suffolk in May, 1898, and 

 Haliday from Holy wood in Co. Down, while a note on 8cenopi7ius niger ? 

 when occurring near Norwich in June was sent to me by Mr F. Jenkinson 

 who wrote, " Two of them hovered in the sun, and looked like heads of silver ! 

 " I could hardly beheve I had got the right insect the first time, when 

 " we saw another and caught it; and again a black Sceno;pinus. It must 

 " be due to the white (china-like) bands which dwindle after death." 

 Walker recorded it as "Generally distributed (E. I.)." My dates only 

 extend from some time in June to July 3. It is recorded from Central 

 and Northern Europe. 



