42 AUSTRALIAN BOMBYLIID^ AND CYRTID.^ (DIPTERA), 



A study of the Australian species shews conclusively 

 that the generic characters utilised by various authors are 

 often of less than specific value, and this is especially the 

 case in the AnthracinsR and Loviatim^, and the taxonomy of 

 the Bomhyliinx is complicated by the existence of species 

 that contain graduating characters between some of the 

 genera. 



For all practical purposes the key given below will serve 

 to separate the described species into groups of mere or less 

 generic value. 



Key to the Genera of the Australian Bombyliid^. 



1. The bifurcation of the radial and cubital veins takes 



place at right angles and near the median 

 cross vein. ANTHRACINM. 4. 



The bifurcation of the radial and cubital veins takes 

 place at an acute angle at a considerable dis- 

 tance from the median cross vein. 2. 



2. The radial vein, curving upwards at its apex, often 



forms an open loop, and always runs into the 

 costa at an obtuse or right angle. The anten- 

 nae short, with the basal joint very thick. The 

 abdomen generally more or less long, parallel 

 sided, and depressed. LOMATIINJE. 8. 



The radial vein normal, and running into the costa 



at an acute angle. 3. 



3. The abdomen elongate, more or less compressed and 



cylindrical. SYSTROPINM. 11. 



The abdomen short, conical or oval. BOMBYLIINM. 14. 



ANTHRACINM. 



4. The proboscis projecting beyond the epistoma. 



Cytheras. 

 The proboscis not, or scarcely, projecting beyond the 



epistoma. 5. 



5. The apex of the antennas bearing a tuft of hairs. 



Argyramoeba. 

 The apex of the antennae at most with a style, never 



with a tuft of hairs. 6. 



6. The third joint of the antennas prolonged to a style- 



like process, at most with a minute differentiat- 

 ed style. Anthrax. 

 The antennal style long and distinct, separated from 

 the prolonged third antennal joint by a dis- 

 tinct suture. '7'- 



