340 INSECTA. 



PLATYPEzh, Meig., 

 Where the four first joints of the posterior tarsi are dilated. 



Those, in which the seta is inserted on the back of that joint, near 

 its junction Avith the preceding one, whose tarsi are not dihited, and 

 whose eyes are separated in both sexes, compose the genus 



Pjpunculus, Lat. — Cephalops, P/iallen., 

 Where the head is almost globular. 



The others have no seta on the last joint of the antennae. It is 

 narrower and longer than in the preceding Insects. 



ScENOPiNUs, Lat., Meig. — Musca, Lin., 

 To which belongs the following species : 



S.fenestralis; Musca feneslralis,!^.; Schell,, Dipt. XIII, 1. 

 the female ; 2. the male. Head and thorax obscure bronze ; ab- 

 domen black, transversely striate, streaked with white in tlic 

 male; legs fulvous ; tarsi obscure. Very common on the glass 

 in windows *. 



FAMILY III. 



TABANIDES. 



Our second family of the Diptera is characterized by a salient 

 proboscis, usually terminated by two lips with projecting palpi, by 

 the last joint of the antennce being annulated, and by a sucker com- 

 posed of six pieces : it comprises the genus 



Tabanus, Lin.\ 



These Diptera are very similar to large Flies, and Avell known by 

 the torment they occasion to cattle, by piercing their skin in order to 

 suck their blood. Their body is usually but slightly pilose. Their 

 head is as wide as the thorax, almost hemispherical, and with the ex- 

 ception of a small space, particularly in the males, occupied by two 

 eyes, generally of a golden-green, with purple spots or streaks. Their 

 antenna; are about the length of the head, and are composed of three 

 joints, the last of Avhich is the longest, terminates in a point, has 

 neither seta nor stilet at the end, is frequently lunate above its base, 

 and with from three to seven transverse and superficial divisions. 

 The proboscis of the greater number is almost membranous, perjou- 

 dicular, of the length of the head or somewhat shorter, almost cylin- 

 drical, and terminated by two elongated lips. The two palpi, usually 



* For all these subgenera, see the authors already quoted. 



f This family is not connected with the preceding one. It apj^ears to me to form 

 a particular series with the follo\ving, lending the Nemocerie to the Atericertc. The 

 preceding family would form another which would also lead to them, so that the 

 last of this one -would he approximated to the last of the Notacanthi. The Culicides 

 and Tabanides are the only Diptera whose sucker is composed of six pieces. 



