138 FLIES. 



heads. The protuberant compound eyes, the hind 

 pair of legs much longer than the others, with 

 the femora swollen and thicker, and the long 

 antennae extending straight out from the some- 

 what receding front, all gave it, superficially con- 

 sidered, the appearance of a small grasshopper. 

 In analyzing it, however, the peculiarities belong- 

 ing to the two-winged insects could readily be 

 seen. Its general color was a chestnut-brown. 

 Six acorn strips, broken by narrower whitish 

 hoary markings, adorned the top and sid6s of 

 the thorax, and the clouded wings, which it did 

 not attempt to use, were folded closely over the 

 rather slender abdomen. 



With self-congratulations I hastened home, 

 elated with the thought that I had discovered a 

 new and extraordinary species, but in searching 

 the books, I saw that the specialist had been before 

 me. It was recorded and described in good set 

 terms, under the imposing name of Sepedon fusci- 

 pennis} Evidently it is rare, for whenever I go 

 for specimens, the search is in vain for another 

 of these winged marvels, although other members 

 of the family, not so singular in appearance, are 

 often found. As far as noticed, all of them are 

 seen among the grass and bushes in damp situa- 

 tions, and are quite sluggish in their motions. 



I Clouded-winged crawling fly. 



