XYLOPHAGUS. INSECTS. 385 



P. Baudmi, Lam. Body black, with the knees and end of the legs 

 whitish ; ocelli indistinct ; antennae entirely black, and the last 

 joint slenderest at its extremity. 6 lines long. An. Mus. iii. 

 pi. 22, fig. 3. 



FAMILY III. NOTACANTHA. 



Sucker of two pieces ; rostrum in the greater part membranous, 

 short, concealed, with the exception of the two large lips by 

 which it is terminated ; in others long, slender, in the form 

 of a syphon, and concealed by a beak bearing the antennae, 

 of which the last joint is divided into many rings, the form 

 and length of these organs varying; wings resting on the 

 body, and with a central radiated areola. 



The insects of this family were placed by Linnaeus in his genus Muscu. Their 

 body is oblong and depressed ; the antennas often cylindrical or conical, and some- 

 times terminated in a club ; the head hemispherical and almost entirely occupied by 

 the eyes in the males ; eyes often agreeably coloured, and with three smooth ocelli. 

 The wings are long, crossed horizontally on the body, with the nerves disposed in 

 rays ; the scutellum often armed with teeth or spines ; the abdomen large, oval or 

 rounded, and the legs short. The greater part of the family inhabit marshy places ; 

 others are found on flowers and the leaves of vegetables, or frequent woods. The 

 larvae are aquatic, and their body is terminated by a tail formed by the posterior 

 segments, and proper for respiration. The skin serves for a cocoon to the pupa, but 

 without changing its form. 



TRIBE I. XYLOPHAGEI. 

 Last joint of the antennae divided into eight rings. 



Gen. HERMETIA, XYLOPHAGUS, BERIS, CYPHOMYA. 



Gen. XYLOPHAGUS, Meigen, Fab. 



Antennae as long as the head and half of the thorax, with the 

 last joint cylindrico-conical, and terminated in a point ; pal- 

 pi exterior ; body narrow and elongated ; scutellum without 

 spines. 



X. ater, Meigen. Body of a deep black, with the feet yellowish or 

 reddish, and an obscure band on the wings. Inhabits Europe. 

 Nouv. Diet, xxxvi. 330. 



TRIBE H.-^-STRATIOMYDES, Lat. 



Last joint of the antennae with at most five or six rings, not 

 including the style. 



I. Last joint of the antennae annulated, and often terminated by a style or seta. 



1. Antennae flabelliform. 



Gen. PTILOCERA. 



2. Antennae simple. 



A. Last joint cylindrical or fusiform, or in the form of an elongated cone ; sometimes 

 without appendage at the end, or terminated by a style or stiff bristle ; scutellum 

 often dentated or spinous. 



a. Rostrum very short, membranous, terminated by two large projecting lips before 

 the head, not advanced like a beak, but bearing the antennae. 



Gen. EPHIPPIUM, (Clitdlaria, Meig.) STRATIOMYS, OXYCERA. 

 VOL. II. B b 



