DIPTEBA or LAKE UBMI. 415 



otlier pairs of similarly tufted basal knobs borne by the succeed- 

 ing tergal portions of tbe segments. The posterior tufts carry 

 a large globular mass of white cottony threads, like American 

 blight, in which are entangled the inedible portions of the car- 

 cases of its prey. Upon a specimen captured on rocks near Seir 

 the dry cuticle of a small spider was distinguishable. 



DIPTEEA. 



Ephtdea urmiana, sp. n. (Plate 27. fig. 3.) 



The larvae which are found in considerable numbers near the 

 margin of the lake are so similar to the larvae of Epliydra sali- 

 naria which were observed by Klug in " Salzsiederei " in Silesia, 

 and described by Loew, and to the halophilous larvae of Ephydra 

 described by Packard, that I have no hesitation in referring them 

 to the same genus. At the same time, the larva of the EpTiydra 

 of Lake Urmi does not agree vdth either E. salinaria or with 

 E. Jialophila, and it is to accentuate this fact that I have ventured 

 to base a new species upon a larval form. 



The larvae of E. urmiana caught on July 21st near Superghan 

 were whitish in colour, and about 10 millim. long. The body is 

 composed of eleven segments, nearly cylindrical, and pointed 

 anteriorly but terminating bluntly behind, unlike the larva of 

 E. salinaria (Westwood, Introduction, fig. 132, no. 11). The last 

 segment is prolonged dorsally into a long bifurcated respiratory 

 process, three-sevenths the length of the body, and containing 

 two tracheal vessels which open by two spiracles situated at the 

 tips of the two branches. Mouth-parts present. All but the 

 first three smaller segments are provided with two groups of 

 chitinous bristles, mounted on inconspicuous tubercles. Abdo- 

 minal appendages, like those of the larva of ^. halophila, 

 absent. 



The rarity of halophilous insects must enhance the interest 

 attaching to the particulars of their life-histories, and consequently 

 it is much to be desired that some naturalist should endeavour 

 to rear the adult imago of this remarkable fly. The only other 

 species of Diptera which have been recorded, so far as I am 

 aware, from very salt water are : — 



Ephydra salinaria {Salmopota salinaria)m Silesia, Diirren- 

 berg, &c. (Westwood, loc. cit. ; Bouche, Naturg. ; 

 ^ Loew, Zeit. Naturwiss, Halle, 1867). 



