328 EMPID.E. 



several intermediate species. Melander adds that the 2nd longi- 

 tudinal vein is curved towards the cost a, and the wings (except in 

 one species, dealing with the Xorth American ones only) are 

 spotted in Syneches. 



In describing three new Indian species,* it was noted by me 

 that so far as the origin of the 2nd vein went they might almost 

 as well be placed in Hi/bos as in Syneches. Melander's figure of 

 H. spinicosta shows this species also as practically intermediate ; 

 whilst in that of mellipes, though the humeral cross-vein is not 

 figured, the origin of the 2nd vein appears also in an intermediate 

 position. Eespecting the curvature of the 2nd vein, Melander's 

 figures show it as much curved forward in H. mellipes as in 

 S. quadrangularis. 



The anal cell is said to be nearly truncate at the tip in Syneches 

 and pointed in Hybos, but there is practically no difference in this 

 respect in the wings of S. simplex and H. mettipes. The character 

 of the wing being generally spotted in Syneches is a weak one. 



It may be as well, however, to retain Syneches provisionally, 

 though it is probably only worthy of subgeneric rank. 



From Epiceia, Walk., and Harpamerus, Big., taken together, 

 Syneches (s. sir.) is supposed to differ by the 3rd and 4th longi- 

 tudinal veins being parallel or diverging at the tip, instead of con- 

 verging at the tip. 



My own species must be considered as belonging to Syneches, 

 sensu lato. 



254. Syneches immaculatus, Brun. 



Syneches immaculatus, Brunetti, Rec. Ind. Mus. ix, p. 18 (1913). 

 <S Head dark grey ; upper facets of eyes reddish brown, very 

 much larger than the lower ones, which are coffee-brown ; pro- 

 boscis about as long as height of head, yellow ; palpi very small, 

 yellow, with a long bristle at the tips; anteun* bright pale 



Fig. 24. Syneches immaculatus, Brun., wing. 



yellow, witli a very long bisinuate drooping black arista. Thorax 

 bright brownish yellow, with a few sparse hairs and four bristles 

 towards posterior margin ; scutellum concolorous, with two long 

 apical bristles ; metanotum concolorous ; sides of thorax also, an 

 irregular elongate dark brown spot or streak from the shoulder 

 to the base of the wings. Abdomen wholly black, with a little 

 black pubescence on upper- and undersides ; genitalia small. Legs 

 yellow; fore femora a little brown above, with -short golden- 

 * Kec. Ind. Mus. ix, p. 17 ; list of Oriental species and notes, p. 16. 



