366 Descriptions of British Diptera. 



In the want of specimens of this insect, the above translation has 

 been given of Meigen's description. It appears to be everywhere a 

 scarce species, but it has been taken in different parts of England. 

 Mr Stephens indicates it in his Catalogue as inhabiting the vicinity 

 of London. 



Tabanus luridus. (s.) 

 Fallen, Dipt. Suec. 5,4. — Meig. Zwei- ii. 55. 



Palpi and hypostome greyish-brown, inclining to yellow in the 

 female ; eyes brassy green, with three purple bands, the upper 

 one abbreviated and placed near the middle ; forehead of the fe- 

 male greyish, with a shining callosity at the angle of the eye, a 

 smaller one on the crown, and a short black ridge in the space be- 

 tween them ; two lowest joints of the antennae blackish, the third 

 ferruginous, with the tip black : thorax and abdomen shining black 

 with dark-coloured pubescence, the former brownish on the sides, 

 the latter having a ferruginous spot, with whitish reflexions, on 

 each side of the three first segments, the anterior ones generally 

 largest, and two or three faint triangular dorsal marks, the hinder 

 margin of the posterior segments narrowly edged with white : un- 

 derside of the abdomen ferruginous, the base and anus black ; hal- 

 teres dark-brown, the knob white ; wings pale brownish-grey ; some 

 of the costal nervures edged with brown : thighs and tarsi black, 

 the tibiae testaceous with the tip dusky, the posterior fringed ex- 

 ternally with black hairs. 6-7 lines. 



Not of unfrequent occurrence. " Near London," Stephens's Catal. 

 " Sutherlandshire and vicinity of Jardine Hall, Dumfries-shire," 

 Sir William Jardine, Bart. 



Tabanus solstitialis. 



Meig. Zwei. ii. 56. 



This species approaches so closely to the foregoing as to afford 

 reason for supposing that it is merely a variety. The principal dif- 

 ferences consist in the colour of the antennas, which are rufous with 

 a small portion of the tip black, and in the under side of the abdo- 

 men, which has the first four segments entirely rufous, and the re- 

 mainder black. The rufous marks on the sides of the abdomen are 

 rather large, pale reddish-yellow, with a whitish play of colour : 

 legs dark brown, with the tibiae reddish-yellow, the apical half of 

 the anterior pair brown. 5^ lines. 



Has been found in the London district, but no notice has appear- 

 ed of its occurrence elsewhere in Britain. 



