MARCH. 81 



a line in length. The Midge very closely resembles the 

 true Gnat, but differs in wanting the long proboscis. The 

 antennse are ornamented with whorls of hair, which, in the 

 males, form beautiful objects. These insects do not appear 

 till later in the year, but, being so similar to the Gnats, it is 

 thought better to notice them together. 



DIPTERA. BOMBYLIID.E. 

 BOMBYLIUS. 



Generic Distinctions. Antenna, second joint very short, ter- 

 minal one long ; palpi very visible ; proboscis very long ; body 

 short, thick, and hairy ; legs long. 



BOMBYLIUS MAJOR is about one-third of an inch long, and 

 covered with yellowish hairs ; the wings somewhat dusky. 



BOMBYLIUS MEDIUS has the wings marked with small 

 dark spots; the specific name bestowed on it by Linnseus 

 is inappropriate, as it is larger than B. major. 



BOMBYLIUS MINOR is much smaller than either of the 

 preceding species ; the wings are quite clear. 



These insects are very active, flying with great rapidity ; 

 they hover over flowers without settling on them, but extract 

 the honey by means of their very long proboscis. Their 



