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REVIEW. 



A List of British Diptcra. By G. H. Verrall, F.E.S. London 

 Pratt & Co., 15, Mill Street, W. 1888. 33 pp., small 4to. 



This is the first and only separate List of British Diptera 

 ever published, and has the advantage of being compiled by one 

 of the leading dipterists of Europe. Lists were included in 

 Curtis' 'Guides' (1829 & 1837), Stephens' 'Catalogue' (1829), 

 and Morris' ' List ' (1865). This new list, however, brings the 

 subject well up to present knowledge, but an early edition or 

 supplement will be required as the study of Diptera extends. 



The arrangement of families is probably the best ever yet 

 adopted ; the notable points being the inclusion of Pulicidte in 

 Nematocera, the manifestly natural reversion of order of the 

 MycetophilidfB, thus making a continuous progress from Cecido- 

 myidse through Lestremia on the one side, and Sciaria on the 

 other side to Mycetophilidse. Brauer's sub-families of Stratio- 

 myidse are admitted, the Leptidae are placed between the 

 Tabanidse and Asilidse, and all precede the manifestly allied 

 Bombylidae, Thercvidie, and Scenopinidte. Kowarz's arrangement 

 of Dolichopodidaj is followed, as it seems to bring allied genera 

 in closer connection than any other system. It would possibly 

 be better reversed, bringing Aphrosylus next the Empidse, and 

 the yellow groups next to Lonchoptera. Placing the (Estridae 

 between the Conopidae and Tachinidae is a novelty wdiich requires 

 testing. Sphccohjina iiuinis is unexpectedly placed under Dexidffi, 

 instead of its usual place iu Anthomyidse ; and Callipliora 

 cognata with C. sepidcJiinalis come under Muscidse instead of 

 Sarcophagidse. All the old sub-families of Museidse are treated 

 as families ; probably some of these will ultimately be re-united. 

 In the Authomyidie, Meade's arrangement has mainly been 

 followed ; but as four sub-families are for the first time indicated, 

 a few species are forced away from their old allies. Many of the 

 generic names in Ortalidge and Trypetidte will be strange to 

 English eyes. Phoridse next to Borboridie seems natural, and 

 has already been so placed by Schiucr, but the whole group of 

 Hypocera seems ignored. Naturally the Hippoboscid^e and the 

 apterous Braulida) and Mycteribidfc close the arrangement. 



Scarcely any synonyms are given, and this seems a pity, but 



