'78 Psyche [June 



phoria. This is due not only to a still greater diversity in the 

 color markings of the sexes but to the similarity of the females of 

 all the species of this group. That this trouble is not confined to 

 America is apparent when we consult the works of European dip- 

 terists. 



M. mellinum L. and M. scalare Fabr. have been united and again 

 separated either as varieties or species. Verrall, in his work on the 

 British Syrphidte, gives a lengthy account of the synonomy and 

 variation of the two forms, and says: "Both species are common 

 and are soon recognized by collectors, but melanoid forms of the 

 female are as common as in M. mellinum and become veritable 

 stumbling blocks; the absence of eye-margins separate them from 

 Cltilosia while the pale antennse and legs separate them from most 

 all species of Platyckirus and the absolutely blackish face from 

 all species of Syvphus.'" 



In the melange I have been unable to recognize M. scalare in 

 America. M. rnellinum is found throughout the greater portion 

 of the United States and Canada, a common and easily recognized 

 species in most localities. In the material collected on Mt. Wash- 

 ington, N. H., however, this is not the case. Here there are three 

 marked forms, the males of which are readily separated, but the 

 females are often very difficult to distinguish. One of these has 

 been referred to M.angusfafum Will, by Coquillett in Mrs. Slosson's 

 list (Ent. News, Nov. 1896, p. 263). The species was described 

 by Dr. Williston from Washington in 1886 (Synop. N. Syrphidse, 

 p. 50). The Mt. Washington specimens are smaller (7 to 8 mm.) 

 and the antennae and legs are much darker than specimens from 

 Seattle, Wash. A specimen from Hanover, N. H., and one from 

 Mt. Equinox, Vt., resemble more closely in this respect the western 

 form. The second form is common at an elevation of from 2,000 

 to 4,000 feet, often associated wnth M. angustatum, and may be 

 characterized as follows : 



Melanostoma montivagum sp. nov. 



cf. Face shining blue-black, front bronze, antenna? black, 

 hsLse of the third joint slightly reddish. Thorax greenish-black 

 shining. Abdomen black, shining, second segment with two small, 

 obscure, yellowish spots, third and fourth segments with dull 

 yellow subquadrate spots. Legs black, the tips of the anterior 



