100 (October, 
tematic friends will grumble, I prefer to abide by father Linné’s axiom, 
so I propose for this gall-midge the 
“sine nomine perit cognitio rei ;” 
name of Cecidomyia pteridis, on the following grounds :— 
1. Its mode of life singles it out from all its numerous allies. 
2. Experience in numerous analogous cases, therefore, warrants my 
calling it a species new to science. 
3. Descriptions from caught midges, without any record of their 
lives, being practically useless, are, therefore, generally slighted by the 
field naturalist. 
South Norwood, 16th September, 1871. 
BITTACUS APTERUS, nov. sp. 
BY R. M LACHLAN, F.L.S. 
Some time since, my friend Dr. Hagen made to me the startling 
announcement, in one of his letters, that an apterous species of Bittacus, 
the singular tipuliform genus of Panorpide, had been recently dis- 
covered in California, Within the last few days the announcement 
has been followed by the liberal present of two pairs of that most ex- 
traordinary insect, accompanied by the request that I would immediately 
describe it, which I now proceed to do. My first impulse was to look 
for some character which might possibly be considered as of generic 
value ; but the insect appears to me to present no one structure that 
would warrant such a generic separation; for I cannot regard the ab- 
sence of wings as sufficient in itself to necessitate the placing of it ina 
special genus. This absence of organs of flight is most complete in both 
sexes, there not being even an indication of the slightest rudiments, 
which one would certainly expect to find, taking to consideration the 
ample wings of all the other species. 
BitTacUs APTERUS, 0. sp. 
Rufo-griseus (vivus, viridescens), apterus. Rostrum linea nigra 
utrinque signatum. Pedes pallidiores, femoribus tibiisque setis nigris 
parce instructis; tarsis infuscatis, subtus setis mgris dense instructis. 
Abdomen obscurior, lineis geminatis, nigris, sub-obsoletis, utringue signa- 
tum. Appendices 8 magne, foliacee, truncate, sursum directe, margine 
apicali antice producto: penis recurvatus, infra appendices situs. Abdo- 
men 2 in processus duo spiniformes breves desinens. 
Long _ yp. & 10” (=21 mill.) ; 9 103" (=22 mill.). 
Habitat : California. 
