352 INSECTA. 
cell of the wings is strongly unisinuate. The body is generally 
hairy. The antenne are closely approximated at base. 
Mau.ota, Meig.—Enristauis, Fab., 
Where the last joint of the antennze forms a species of transversal 
trapezium, the widest side of whichis before, and presenting, when 
dilated an elliptical facet bordered all round *. 
Hetopuitus, Meig.—Enistaus, Meig., Fab., 
Where the palette of the antennze forms a semi-oval. The body is 
generally less hairy than in the preceding subgenera. 
The body of several of the larve is terminated by a long tail, 
whence their vulgar appellation of vers & queue de rat, or rat-tailed 
worms. They elongate and raise it perpendicularly to the surface 
of the water, or cloace in which they live, in order to respire 
through the aperture in its extremity. They are furnished internally 
with two large and extremely brilliant trachae, which, near the origin 
of the tail, form numerous plexus that are constantly in motion. 
Reservoirs of rain-water contain numbers of these larvee. Their 
tail may easily be mistaken for filaments of roots. See Reaum., 
Ins., 1V, xxx. 
H. tenax ; Musca tenag, L.; H. abeilliforme, Reaum., Ins., 
IV,xx,7. About the size of the male of the common Bee, and at 
the first glance resembles it in colours. The body is brown, 
covered with fine, yellowish-grey hairs, with a black streak on 
the front ; from two to four fulyous-yellow spots on each side of 
the abdomen. 
The larva inhabits muddy water, privies, and gutters, and is 
one of those called vers d queue de rat. It is said to be so tena- 
cious of life that no pressure can destroy it f. 
Other Syrphide differ from the last in the exterior and closed cell 
of the posterior margin; its external side being straight or but 
slightly sinuous. The antenne are elevated at base and advance al- 
most parallel with each other; their last joint is almost ovoid, or 
nearly orbicular. The anterior projection of the head is very short. 
The abdomen is generally narrower and more elongated than in the 
preceding subgenera. The wings, in those where it is shortest, are 
generally distant. 
Syrpuus, Lat, Meig.—Scava, Fab., 
Or Syrphus, properly so called, where the abdomen is gradually nar- 
rowed from base to point. 
* See Meigen. 
+ The Helophili of Meigen, and most of his Eristales, those in which the seta of 
the antennz is simple, such as the sepulchralis, aneus, tenax, cryptarum, nemorum, 
arbustorum, &c. 
We might pass from the Helophili to the Callicere, Ceria, Chrysotoxa, Paragi, 
Syrphi, terminate the division of those with a nasal prominence, by the Bacchz, and 
begin the division of those in which that elevation is wanting, with the Ascie and 
Sphegine, Insects closely allied to the Bacche. Then would come Aphritis, Mero- 
don, &e. This series would, perhaps, be more natural. 
