23,4 Patton: The Genus Musca Linnxus 315 



types of this species in Paris I propose deleting the name from 

 the literature and, instead, naming this species vetustissima, 

 the type of which I have examined. It is quite impossible to 

 be certain of the identity of Macquart's pumila, from his usual 

 commonplace description. The types of Musca minor Macquart 

 are nothing more than domestica L.; Musca vetustissima has 

 been confused repeatedly with Musca sorbens {humilis) ; and 

 Froggatt has noted it under the name corvina, which is, however, 

 a very different species. 



The Philippine specimens of Musca vetustissima are darker 

 than the Indian specimens, but here again a long series of bred 

 specimens from India clearly demonstrates the variability of 

 the species. 



Musca vetustissima is a common bush and camp fly, and is 

 a well-known human pest in Australia; it is believed on good 

 evidence to be the carrier of the bacteria of infective conjunc- 

 tivitis and allied conditions. Like sorbens it is commonly found 

 on animals far from human dwellings, and its breeding habits 

 are very similar. With sorbens it links the species of Group 

 I with those of Group II. It can always be distinguished from 

 sorbens by its bluer color and the narrower front of the male. 



SPECIES OP GROUP II 

 Musca ventrosa Wiedemann. 

 Musca xanthomela Walker. 

 Musca nigrithorax Stein. 

 Musca pungoana Karsch. 

 ? Musca kasauliensis Awati. 



There are 2 females of this very characteristic species in the 

 collection, 1 from Los Banos and the other from Mount Maqui- 

 ling {Baker). I have examined the type of Musca ventrosa, 

 as well as that of M. pungoana, and note that the latter is 

 identical with the former. I have not yet seen the type of M. 

 nigrithorax Stein, but its author states it is identical with M. 

 ventrosa. 



Musca ventrosa can always be recognized by its bluish thorax 

 with four dark stripes and the bright orange abdomen without 

 any markings. The specimens in the collection are typical. 

 Musca craggi Patton. 



The collection contains 5 males from Culasi, Panay {McGre- 

 gor) , Mount Maquiling, Dapitan, and Puerto Princesa {Baker) ; 

 and 6 females from Alabang {Mitzmain), Culasi, Panay {Mc- 



